INJURY-HIT York RUFC defied a host of set-backs to secure a battling 28-25 victory over Castleford in Yorkshire One.

York suffered five injuries before and during the Clifton Park clash and they trailed deep into injury time, but they refused to be beaten.

Mike Cawthorn came up with a late, late try to thwart Castleford and earn the hosts a bonus point victory.

After losing Jon Dawes and Richie Roberts prior to kick-off, York were robbed of the services of Karl Birch, Jim Rossington and Simon Humphreys during the game.

Cas forged into a 8-0 lead on ten minutes, but Birch opened York’s account with two penalties.

Good handling from the backs created a try for winger Charlie Nicholson and Cawthorn converted for a 13-8 lead.

A penalty kept the visitors in touch, but York looked to have made the game safe at 23-11 with tries by Darren Rutherford and Billy Cakaunitabua.

Cas hit back to lead 25-23, but York went on the offensive and, after two close calls, Cawthorn got the decisive try.

Leaders Malton & Norton were 51-24 victors at home to Knottingley – the Ryedale side’s 16th consecutive victory this season.

Malton went into the game with a long injury list, but turned in a good display of attacking rugby to go 15 points clear at the top. Teei Piawi opened the scoring with two penalties, both after Knottingley were caught offside.

On 15 minutes, flanker George Harrison got the first touch down of the game and five minutes later he was followed over the line by number eight Mark Bradshaw. Piawi converted the second try.

On the half hour, Bradshaw and Harrison combined to send prop Adam Turnbull crashing over and Piawi added the extras. From the restart, full-back Josh Saunders sprinted 50 metres to the line for the bonus-point try, which Piawi converted.

Bradshaw was forced to leave the field with a broken jaw and, shortly afterwards, the visitors kicked a penalty to trail 32-3 at half-time.

Fly-half Tom Collard created a second try for Saunders, again converted by Piawi. Knottingley scored two tries to make it 39-17, but 17-year-old debutant Ali Heard opened his senior Malton account with a try.

Ten minutes later, Heard doubled his tally with a try converted by Piawi before Knottingley crossed with the last play of the game.

Meanwhile, Selby suffered their 11th defeat of the season – a 33-12 loss to Heath at Sandhill Lane.