YORK RI gained two more valuable Yorkshire Two league points with a comformable 41-7 victory over Hemsworth at New Lane.

In bitterly cold conditions RI played some sparkling open rugby and took a tenth minute lead when centre John Armstrong found a gap in the Hemsworth defence to score between the posts. Matthew Yates converted.

RI continued to take the game to Hemsworth and were rewarded with two tries in quick succession by lively scrum-half Nick Ward. Yates converted both and added a penalty to give RI a 24-0 half time lead.

Hemsworth reduced the arrears just after the break when Chris Moody disrupted the RI scrum and dived over for a try.

However, this was only a blip as RI stormed back to score three further tries by Johnson, Barley and Ashman.

The latter's try was converted by Yates to make RI worthy winners 41-7.

Malton and Norton have moved into pole position in Yorkshire Three on points difference, courtesy of their 48-14 victory over Roundhegians.

The scoreline hardly reflects the game and Roundhegians could easily have doubled their own tally with a little more care on two occasions when a try seemed certain.

The home pack pressurised and held territorial advantage during the opening exchanges but it was Malton who drew first blood.

Turning defence into attack with some slick passing and strong running a good position was established in the home 22 and after a series of drives wing Tim Chapman was freed to score in the corner.

Roundhegians soon retaliated and through their pack breached the Malton defence to score at the posts. The conversion was successful and the home side had the lead.

Whenever Malton spread the ball wide danger always threatened and this allowed right wing Neil Gilbertson the opportunity to power over for an excellent try in the corner.

Next up was a typical battling try from scrum-half Jon Newsome, who forced his way over in the corner to give his side a 15-7 interval advantage.

With the strong wind at their backs for the second half Malton soon notched their fourth try when Phil Ryan, showing great strength, powered over under the posts for Ian Cooke to convert.

Roundhegians were no push over. They battled to stay in the game and scored a good converted try.

Shortly after this setback Malton lost the services of Gilbertson with a minor injury and the fleet-footed Ian Mansell took the field in his place.

He soon announced his arrival when he was given possession well in his own half and sprinted along the touchline, breaking a number of feeble efforts to stop him, to score. Cooke converted to move Malt into the comfort zone.

Roundhegians started to show signs of wilting and when a kick ahead was fumbled, Cooke was on hand to snap up the loose ball to add a converted try.

Skipper Chris Creber then struck when he broke away and sold a lovely dummy before sprinting to the line to score for Cooke to convert.

The final score again came from Mansell, with another sprint along the wing.

Updated: 12:05 Monday, March 11, 2002