YORK RUFC preserved their leadership of the Durham and Northumberland League division one with an overwhelming 80-0 rout of Ashington.

The visitors arrived at Clifton Park having conceded 55 points per match despite having won one of their five league matches. This the fixture served to emphasis the wide gulf in standard across the league's 12 clubs.

Tom Copeland gave York a good start with a penalty on his way to seven conversions and two penalties to make him top scorer with 20 points.

The York forwards combined well and were driven forward by scrum-half Graham Smith who, in the first ten minutes, sent York on their way with a try of his own and then snaffled an Ashington heel to put flanker Stu Davies in for a try.

After 20 minutes Smith combined with Kiwi hooker Jon Sharpe to put man mountain Davies into space 20 yards down the right where he bounded off three defenders to stroll in.

York continued to play fluid rugby, with backs and forwards operating in unison. One such move saw Smith switch the point of attack from left to right to put right winger Rob Liddle clear and he turned the ball inside to skipper Andy Kay for an excellent try.

Another all-action team try saw left-winger Sam Arkle race in for a score for York to reach the interval with a 35-0 advantage.

Ashington played a plucky game and were willing to move the ball wide, but two handing mistakes early in the second half gave flanker Grant Williams and Liddle scoring chances which they unhesitatingly grabbed.

Within five minutes centre Rob Taylor had crashed over for a try and Sharpe made a long run down the right for Liddle to put Smith in for a touchdown.

Ashington proved gritty at close quarters but they could not match the pace and fitness of their opponents. Further tries followed for centre Sean Bass, Sharpe and Arkle to leave the visitors truly vanquished.

York's visit to Consett next Saturday is the first of several tough fixtures before the Christmas break. If they can continue to play the same 15-man rugby in a tighter environment, they will be hard to beat.

Updated: 11:38 Monday, October 25, 2004