YORK RUFC enjoyed an excellent weekend as they won 31-9 at Ashington while Durham/Northumberland One title rivals Percy Park and Durham City both lost.

It wasn't the heavy margin of victory expected of York against their lowly rivals but it was comfortable enough and saw them move above Durham into second place and close the gap on Percy Park.

York started well with Nick Ventress dropping a goal and Tom Copeland adding a penalty for offside.

However, the hosts seem to have developed a damage-limitation game, based on forward control and kicking for territory, to avoid the heavy defeats that have seen them concede an average of 45 points per match this season. And York, with four pack regulars missing, were not well geared to combat this approach and often came under pressure.

They gave away two penalties but Copeland slotted one over in reply to keep York 9-6 ahead as half-time loomed.

York's handling had been poor but it suddenly clicked when Ventress broke into the home 22 and his neat flick pass put fellow centre Rob Taylor in, Copeland goaling.

Within minutes, the York forwards won possession in their own half for scrum-half Graham Smith to break clear and pass inside for wingman Sam Arkle. The ball was transferred through several hands for left-winger Mark McDaid to score wide out.

Hopes of a better second half were not fulfilled as the hosts forced York on the defence for long periods and reduced the deficit with a penalty.

But midway through the half, York showed their potential when McDaid ran 40 yards out of defence, Taylor took the move on and Cope-land transferred to Arkle, who raced down the right for an excellent converted try.

York were finding their form and, from a lineout, Taylor, on the reverse pass, crashed over.

York were finishing strongly and Taylor burst away to touch down for the third time only for the referee to rule out his hat-trick try and award a penalty to the hosts following a melee 30 yards back.

Updated: 11:18 Monday, January 31, 2005