York pile up huge score

The foundation of the success was a solid performance by the pack, with the second row pair of Brad Macdonald and Rob Sparrow to the fore.

These two and hooker John Sharpe made holes in the Acklam defence before bringing the backs into play.

Macdonald scored the first try following a rolling maul that made 25 metres before Nick Ventress broke and, when stopped short of the line, found prop Simon Humphries in support to provide the scoring pass for Macdonald. Tom Copeland missed the conversion.

Fullback Copeland came into the line and when stopped on the 22 the ball went loose, allowing Mike Ford to hack the ball over the line and follow up to touch down for the try. Copeland added the points.

When York opted for a scrum following a penalty 15 metres out, it was a formality for No 8 Ian Davies to pick up and score. Copeland's conversion made it 19-0.

York's next score came from Billy Cankatabula following a quickly taken tap penalty by scrum half Graham Smith.

Acklam's full back Danny Aston kicked a penalty, but on the stroke of half-time Rob Kama scored the first try of a hat-trick. He scored following a break from Sam Arkle. Copeland's conversion kick bounced out off the crossbar.

Acklam prop Andrew Cruickshank was sin-binned for pulling down a maul.

York added to their score with another quick tap-penalty by Smith resulting in Sam Arkle scoring under the posts for an easy conversion.

Arkle scored again almost immediately when he was on hand to take the ball from Kama as he was stopped just short of the line following a 60 metre break. Copeland converted.

In the last ten minutes Kama completed his hat-trick. Rob Sparrow stole the ball at the front of the line-out and following a flowing period of handling he was involved twice again before Kama crossed. Copeland kicked the conversion.

Just before the end of the match Acklam scrum half Paul Coxson was sent off for a punch from behind on Sam Arkle.

Updated: 11:05 Monday, April 11, 2005