YORK moved up to second place in Powergen Durham and Northumberland Division One with a 71-5 victory over Hartlepool.

Their success sets the scene for a tense match next Saturday when they visit leaders Percy Park, whom the Clifton Park outfit trail by one point.

York were expected to win convincingly against the winless table-proppers but, in truth, York will be disappointed not to have won by a wider margin as they lost their way somewhat in the early stages of the second half.

Before that, York set off at a cracking pace as their forwards seized on a poor kick-off clearance to interpass before flanker Stu Davies cantered over.

York were soon back on attack through a series of forward charges before scrum half Graham Smith chipped over the 'Pool pack for prop Jon O'Dell to score and Nick Ventress notched the first of his eight conversions.

The visitors were prepared to play a positive game, often spurning penalty kicks to throw the ball around. Despite a good 40-metre Ventress clearance, Hartlepool's persistence paid off when a tap penalty move led to flanker Stu Palmer scoring what proved to be his side's only points.

After 20 minutes, full back Tom Copeland broke through and centre Sam Arkle, with three men outside, cut back to score under the posts. Next Stu Davies forced over from a line-out. The points avalanche continued when winger Rob Liddle made a long run into the visitors' 22 where, from a scrum, number eight Ian Davies barged over.

York extended their lead with a try from hooker Rob Allen in the outside centre position after a bout of fluid handling and then centre Sean Bass romped under the posts after the dominant York pack stole a scrum.

York exploded into the second period when Copeland took a long ball from Ventress to stride through a gap to score. The next 20 minutes were a nightmare for York.

Prop Nick Hare was sin-binned for interfering with a tap penalty, York lost their control and were often penned in their own 22 as Hartlepool attacked with enthusiasm.

York finally regained their poise when Smith sparked off a move for Copeland to send winger Andy Bond racing clear.

York found their smooth handling skills for Bond to set up prop Dave Dorkin to crash over with Ventress adding an excellent conversion.

With ten minutes left, an unusual happening occurred when the referee sent off the Hartlepool linesman for over-involvement in the play and former York president Ron McBride took over the flag. This just left time for York skipper Andy Kay to steal down the blindside to put Smith in for a score which Ventress converted.

Updated: 10:03 Monday, November 15, 2004