YORK RUFC signed off their relegation season in Powergen Division North 2 East with a 22-17 victory against table-proppers Northern.

On a surprisingly firm pitch at the hosts' Gosforth ground, York enjoyed clear first half dominance partially as a result of a following cross wind but also but through some excellent combined play

Although enjoying early territorial advantage, York took 15 minutes to get on the scoreboard from a Mike Ford penalty following an incisive break by scrum half James Arkle which saw Northern caught offside.

This lit the touch paper for York and, a few minutes later, centre Sam Arkle exploded into the Northern 22. The supporting pack drove towards the line and released stand-in fly-half Ford, who jinked over from ten metres and converted his own try.

It was all York at this stage and inside centre Rob Taylor, shrugged off tackles before feeding inside to Dave Moss-Blundell who eluded the defence for an unconverted try.

York spurned a kick at goal to establish a line out in the Northern corner from which No 8 Ian Davies produced one of his unstoppable bursts to touch down. Ford made an excellent conversion in a difficult wind.

The interval beckoned with a 22 point York advantage when they got overconfident and a loose pass fell to Northern winger Steve Kay, who raced 60 metres to score under the posts. Andy Bingham converted.

The second half was considerably less interesting.

Bingham took the score to 22-10 with a penalty and, if one or two promising moves had yielded a score, York could have had a troubled final 15 minutes.

Northern gained reward too late when, in stoppage time, their fly half, Dan Grainey scored a superb try and Bingham converted to leave his side five points adrift as the referee blew time.

York have yet to find out which league they will be in next season but know that if they are to gain promotion next year, they will need to strengthen their squad and pay more attention to practice and detailed coaching.

Updated: 11:27 Monday, April 19, 2004