YORK RUFC kept their promotion hopes alive with a five-try performance to dismiss Consett 32-6 at Clifton Park.

A man-of-the-match display from winger Rob Kama gave York a vital victory against their Durham and Northumberland One rivals.

A brace of tries from Kama, as well as scores from Ian Davies, Stu Davies and Sam Arkle helped York move up to third place in the league table.

They made hard work of it in the opening half-hour and it was only two breath-taking first half tries which broke the back of a spirited, but depleted Consett side.

York were trailing 6-0 after 20 minutes, thanks to two easy penalties from Bernie de Beer.

But when they finally awoke after 31 minutes, it was to conjure a score of majestic quality to lift the home fans.

Following a kick which failed to find touch in York's 22, a fantastic burst from scrum half Graham Smith smashed through the Consett lines.

The ball was played across the left and came into the hands of hooker Jon Sharpe who flighted a superb kick into the hands of Kama. He avoided the tackle and ran through to touch down.

Full back Tom Copeland's conversion gave York a 7-6 advantage - a lead they would never surrender.

Eight minutes later, a move which again started deep in York territory ended in a rousing try. This time, the irrepressible Kama appeared on the right-hand side, cutting through the tacklers.

York were playing expansively now and they went through the phases, switching the ball first to the left and then to the right before No 8 Ian Davies found himself with possession five metres out. He juggled, but held on to dive through and give York a 12-6 lead at the half.

York extended their lead with a Copeland penalty seven minutes into the second period and weathered a brief storm when lock Darren Rutherford was handed a yellow card.

But, despite that setback, there was to be no miracle Consett comeback. And it was Kama again, whose speed, strength and jinking runs completely bamboozled the visitors, who secured the victory on 59 minutes.

Stu Davies took the ball from a lineout and Kama found himself in possession following a pass from imposing centre Nick Ventress.

Once again, he slipped through three tacklers before forcing the ball over the line.

And just six minutes later, yet another trademark Kama burst - this time winning 30 metres - set up the position which saw Stu Davies score York's fourth try.

As time ran out, Arkle's try - a piercing run from outside the 22 - and Copeland's conversion rounded off a 32-6 victory.

Kama said: "This was a very big win for us. Where we are in the table, we have got our foot in the door so this match was make or break. We played as if it was our cup final."

Updated: 10:38 Monday, January 24, 2005