Stroll in the park for York

York looked strong from the kick-off and earned two early penalties to keep them on the attack and lock Matt Halifax had a powerful run but Park were able to boot their way from danger.

However, the opening score was not long in coming. Fly-half Mark Roberts' cross-field kick caused problems in the Park defence and centre Stu Davies charged down the home side's attempt to clear and scored in the corner.

Within a few minutes Roberts kicked a penalty to the corner. Scrum-half James Arkle made a half break to feed skipper Jeremy Clutton for a try which Mike Ford converted.

Within ten minutes Arkle shot clear again before feeding No 8 Andy Kay, whose slick inside feed put flanker Lee Denham in for an unconverted try.

York seemed to have the match at their mercy as their pack was dominant in the scrums and holding their own in the line-outs, but the match fell into the doldrums.

A Park grubber kick embarrassed York and, for a few minutes, it looked as though the visitors might narrow the deficit but the hosts emerged with a 17-0 lead at the interval.

The second period started in just as desultory fashion and was only relieved by a Park penalty from Rich Monkhouse.

However after ten minutes York found a golden touch when Davies broke down the middle and the ball was slickly moved by Arkle and Roberts out to winger Rob Karma, who sped in at the corner for an unconverted try.

York followed this up with a bewildering handling try. After Arkle and Denham had made progress towards the Park 22, York interpassed to the left with a deft Chris Dempsey flick in the middle that resulted in Kay forcing his way over in the corner.

With ten minutes left Denham broke into the Park 22 and Roberts took an awkward overhead ball and side-stepped into a huge space to stroll through for the final try of the day which Ford converted.

Pocklington's injury-ravaged side, without five key players, lost 29-6 at Pontefract, but the visitors stuck to their task, with several of the younger members of the squad shining.

Although they went behind to a third minute try Pocklington re-grouped and did well in the set pieces, with young second rows Stewart Rowley and Phil Thompson taking a good supply of line out ball.

Fly-half Dan Clappison edged Pocklington ahead with two well-struck penalties.

Pocklington then had to defend strongly through to the interval. Their commitment was shown by 42-year-old centre Mark Taylor, who chased 70-yards up the hill to make a cover tackle on the home wing and prevent a try.

However, having worked so hard to hold their lead, Pocklington lost concentration early in the second period to concede three tries in five minutes.

They had threequarter Rob Jackson carried off with an ankle injury and before they could re-group Pontefract charged over for their quick-fire scores.

Pocklington came back bravely with their front row, which included two debutants, taking four scrums against the head. But they again had to show plenty of endeavour to keep the home side out until a defensive lapse saw Pontefract slip through for a further try.

Pocklington kept going to the end and produced their best rugby in the dying minutes, only to be denied a deserved consolation when the referee was unsighted as Rowley drove over.

Selby's impressive run in continued as they turned over Beverley 14-0 at Beaver Park.

The Sandhill Lane side, whose only defeat since the turn of the year has been by runaway leaders Hull, got off to a sensational start when lively scrum-half Matthew Smith scooted through for a try in the opening minutes. Carl Paterson tagged on the extras.

Despite this early score, Selby could not find another way through the resolute Beverley defence until halfway through the second period - this time centre Andy Bennett touching down for Paterson to slot over the conversion.

The victory moves Selby into sixth place in Yorkshire One.

Updated: 12:03 Monday, March 11, 2002