YORK Rugby Union Club Under-14s will take great heart from their 10-0 defeat by County Durham champions West Hartlepool - a match which six months ago they would have lost by 30 or 40 points.

After a long journey north, York had little time for a warm-up and were caught cold as West Hartlepool opening the scoring with a try.

West Hartlepool continued to press, but resolute York defence - marshalled by fullback Matthew Rowson - kept them at bay.

York's pack had a good game, regularly taking balls against the head at defensive scrums five metres out to relieve the pressure.

After the break, York took the game to West Hartlepool, forcing the home side on to the back foot, with centre Oliver Brandon-Davies held up over the line, while winger Henry Appleton was bundled out in the corner.

Prop Chris Woolley showed deft footwork with a kick ahead which bounced out just before he could re-gather it, while hooker Tom Bewick was held up after a rolling maul.

With York continuing to press, West Hartlepool broke free in the final moments to wrap up the victory.

Updated: 11:42 Tuesday, October 02, 2001