A Yorkshire One league win away from home is something of a luxury for York but they were comprehensive victors at Bramhope by 27-6.

Not that it was an easy game as West Park, with a heavy pack, had substantial periods of domination either side of half time.

What was important for York was that when they got positional advantage they converted it into a score and, having got into a lead, were never headed.

York had a mottled start with outsides Stu Davies and Tom Hepplestone being late unavailabilities and influential lock Matt Halifax having to take to the subs bench as he was not fully fit.

Even coach Andy Gair was pressed into service on the wing and he did enough to remind his charges of his pedigree.

So it was heartening that York produced a fine first quarter albeit with some missed chances.

After early pressure, a chip down the right from fly-half Mike Ford was followed up by flanker Jim Hawcutt and prop Nathan Harding.

The ball was recycled to the left where Lee Deakin fed full-back Tom Copeland who could not hold the pass with the line in sight.

Then Ford broke clear, transferred to Copeland who gave Deakin the chance of a score but again the ball went to ground.

It was all one way traffic and eventually the score came as scrum-half Nigel Durham fed Gair who sent the back row on the rampage.

Lee Durham gave the scoring pass to skipper Punchy Clutton for a try from 35 metres out. Copeland converted.

This triggered an upsurge in Park's fortunes and their pack kept York penned in their half for 20 minutes.

It was a relief when Durham's boot finally got York back in their opponent's half just before the interval.

Centre Damon Hill then chipped through and York earned an offside penalty which Copeland converted to give his team a 10-0 lead.

However, weak back-row defence allowed a Park flanker to race for the line.

As he kicked through, he was obstructed and Rich Monkhouse took the penalty.

Monkhouse started the second half with another penalty for offside and York were under pressure at 10-6.

After Copeland had kicked one but missed two penalties, Ford produced a half break 35 metres out. Denham, Copeland and Deakin set up Simon Thornton, on as centre as substitute for rib injury victim Durham, to charge 20 metres to the line. Copeland converted.

Ten minutes later Ford and Thornton combined to put Denham on a 20 metre burst to score, Copeland again converting.

With Park having beaten Beverley, who were a handful for York last year, the Clifton Park side should gain in confidence and next week's home clash against local rivals Selby should be compelling.

Updated: 11:44 Monday, September 24, 2001