York's visit to Durham had long been seen as the season's crunch match and the hosts handed out a 36-14 crushing to severely dent the Clifton Park side's hope of promotion from Powergen Durham and Northumberland division one.

York drop to fourth place and need Percy Park to beat both Durham and Northern next month to have any hope of second place for a play-off, most likely against Wheatley Hills from Doncaster.

Even then, York have to win their three remaining fixtures and by good margins to eliminate their 43 points disadvantage with Durham.

York elected to play into a strong down-pitch wind and Durham were soon embarrassing York outside the scrum.

Winger James Walker was only stopped by a good Rob Kama tackle.

However, after ten minutes he was over in the corner when his scrum-half Ben Stevenson stole away from a tap penalty. Walker converted his own try.

It soon became clear that the hosts possessed a mobile, well organised, set of forwards with a secure line-out and they set up a handling move from which No 8 Billy McKinnon crashed over for Walker to add the extras.

If York had a plan to play into the wind it appeared to be one of throwing the ball around, which caused several errors resulting in turnovers so that City monopolised possession.

Entering the second quarter, McKinnon made a blindside burst which set his forwards knocking York's line before centre Richie Knowles split the midfield defence to score near the posts. Walker kicked the conversion.

York gave themselves a chance to get back in the game when centre Nick Ventress, enjoying his best form for some weeks, broke down the middle.

The ball was switched left for hooker Jon Sharpe to float a lovely pass out to Kama, who sped 30 metres to the line. Tom Copeland added the points and the prospect of the interval at 19-7 down seemed almost respectable.

But York could not hold out the last eight minutes, conceding tries to Walker and Stevenson. Walker converted both and the half-time score of 33-7 was a mountain too far for York.

The second half was more attritional as York fought for parity against a mightier force.

Walker hoisted an early penalty for Durham, who were well organised to combat York's attempt to use the wind.

With 15 minutes left, York aroused their supporters' hopes when Brad MacDonald broke into space for Sam Arkle, at centre, to beat several defender on his way to the posts. Copeland converted, but York had no more left.

Updated: 10:04 Monday, March 14, 2005