YORK are just one win away from the promotion play-offs after beating already relegated Sheffield Tigers 46-3 at Clifton Park on Saturday.

However, York's coaching staff will have some concerns about the number of scoring opportunities squandered through poor finishing. At least half a dozen certain scoring passes went to ground through bad technique - such profligacy against Pontefract and Selby, their final league opponents, could see York's hopes dashed.

York, who were without player-coach Pete Curtis, Kiwi hooker Jon Sharp and Gareth Thomas, went behind in the first minute, when Tigers' stand-off Rob Pound kicked a penalty after York were caught off-side.

York were soon on equal terms when Ben Quick replied with a penalty for handling in the scrum. The scrum had followed a break by Quick, which should have resulted in a try but his pass went to ground.

York were soon on the attack again and a break by centre Mark Roberts looked certain to bring a try but the final pass was knocked on.

From the subsequent scrum in the Tiger's 22, Pound attempted to clear his line only to find York's flying winger Rob Kama, who took the ball in full flight and skilfully rounded two Tigers players to score. Quick converted.

York's pressure was relentless, and Tigers were penalised for taking too long at a line out 15 metres out. From the free kick No 8 Ian Davies drove to the line and when stopped short Stuart Davies was on hand to score a try which Quick again converted.

Then York won a line out in the Tigers 22 and skipper Sean Bass scored from a short pass from stand-off Quick, who kicked the conversion.

Virtually from the restart, a break by Kama, supported by wing forward Clutton, saw York bring the ball out of their own half and with classic handling and full-back Mike Ford was on hand to score an unconverted try.

The score was 29-3 with only 25 minutes gone but the points deluge did not come.

Second-row Brad Mac Donald was sin-binned for a late tackle and York ended the first half defending.

Shortly after half-time, Stuart Davies was replaced by Andy Kay, who was making a welcome return to action after having a serious shoulder operation last September. The loss of Davies's pace and his ball-winning ability could have been the cause of York's poor second half performance or, it could have been their complacency against a side lacking in pace and ideas.

The second half was only memorable for a few attractive phases of rugby from York, which saw Clutton score a try and Bass complete a hat-trick. Although York had an easy win 46-3, the overall impression was one of an error-strewn game that although entertaining in parts was also frustrating.

With Hartlepool Rovers, second in Durham/Northumberland Division One, having lost to Acklam, one more league win will give York the important home advantage in the play-off.

Updated: 09:44 Monday, March 17, 2003