YORK were knocked out of the Powergen Intermediate Cup with a 29-21 third round defeat at Driffield.

The Woldsmen were worthy victors but it was a useful exercise for York to take on a side performing well in a higher league.

It proved to be an interesting game full of fierce endeavour and enterprising running and it was their fast young outsides that, in the final analysis, gave Driffield the edge.

However, York started the better with lock Rob Sparrow quickly on the charge and Nick Ventress slotting over a penalty after five minutes.

Their lead was short-lived as Driffield used a penalty award to establish a lineout on the York line where they used their forward power to maul over for an unconverted try.

The visitors regained the lead within five minutes when winger Rob Kama intercepted a home passing movement and floated in under the posts, Ventress goaling and adding a penalty for a 13-5 lead.

York were looking good but the home threes had other ideas, as centre Chris McClar-ron almost got in before 18-year-old fly-half Karl Birch showed class as he sliced through down the blind side to enable wing Garry Stephenson to jink in at the corner.

Birch again shredded the York defence soon after for winger Ali McClarron to score wide out for a 15-13 half-time lead with York flanker Stu Davies in the sin-bin.

Alex Piercey extended the lead with a penalty but York hit back when, after full-back Steve Moss-Blundell had probed down the right, the ball was spun left, where Sam Arkle went close before Davies, back on the field, burrowed over.

Driffield responded with a classic try, moving the ball at pace from right to left and back inside for flanker Kerry Wood to score, Piercey soon adding a penalty.

York showed good defence to keep the score down thereafter, with both sides adding a penalty apiece.

Malton and Norton's Yorkshire Shield tie at Thornensians was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Updated: 11:05 Monday, November 08, 2004