For the second consecutive week, York 'A' travelled to take on a club playing three leagues higher.

However, all similarities ended there as this time around York humbled Sandal 52-12, scoring seven tries in an exhibition of pace and grace rugby.

Mike Westwood set the pattern of the game after only five minutes when the winger fielded a high ball to return it fully 60 yards into the Sandal 22.

Immense York pressure kept the hosts firmly on the back foot and this had its reward as Tom Copeland slotted two well-struck penalties.

After an opportunist try from the hosts in the 15th minute, York's back row initiated a non-stop assault on the Wakefield based-side that was to last the rest of the game.

Within ten minutes blind-side flanker Chris Reed bulldozed his way over the Sandal line following superb support play from Bewell, Thornton and No8 Herman Louw.

Then, Louw - running a terrific angle - scored by beating half the Sandal defenders.

A third penalty from Copeland heralded half-time with York 19-5 ahead.

Immediately upon the restart, replacement College of Law student James Oxley picked up at scrum-half and with electric pace, left most of the Sandal team tackling fresh air before freeing Westwood who sprinted in at the corner flag. Copeland added the extras.

Minutes later Louw peeled away from the back of the lineout and panicked the Sandal stand off into dropping the ball.

The York man completed the job by scoring quite a soft try.

Nick Kay, who was suffering with blisters on the rock-hard ground, then fed his covering back row support. Reed, Louw, Bewell, Halifax, Morgan and finally Reed again made up a wonderful passage of high quality play.

Finally, young colt Russ Dovey nipped in through a completely demoralised Sandal team who were much relieved to hear the referee's final whistle.

Updated: 11:52 Tuesday, September 24, 2002