It is extremely difficult to give a reasonable spin to the very thorough 96-7 thrashing Darlington gave York in their re-arranged North Two East League fixture.

That scoreline represents 80 minutes of purgatory for the injury-hit York outfit who conceded a try in the very first minute, following a dreadful clearing kick, and thereafter at fairly regular intervals.

The game was already effectively over when, after ten minutes, and with the score at 19-0, Nathan Savage became the first of the three injuries requiring substitutions.

He was replaced by the excellent West and although the scrumage held up well, the well-drilled Darlington unit were basically running amok in loose play with confidence high and a ruthless eye on the opportunity to improve their points difference.

Their plan was simple. Use their big number 8, or their equally large inside centre, to drive hard into the gap between York's stand-off and inside centre and recycle the ball rapidly when tackled, which regrettably was not as often as it should have been.

This weakness was cruelly exposed, so much so that the Darlington stand-off never once used a tactical kick into the corners.

York held well for the second 20 minutes and scored a good try through James Arkle, one of the few York successes, but the score spiralled again after the interval and it was a tired and depressed York outfit, having used all three subs,that trooped off at the end.

This match marks the end of a particularly torrid time for the Clifton Park outfit who, it could be argued are missing six members, including three with broken bones, of their first-choice pack.

There are several good points to be gleaned from the recent defeats.

There are clearly a number of second teamers capable of raising their game to play at this level, although preferably not all at the same time, and the level of committment on the field must be applauded.

At Darlington the experiment of playing Harding at No 8 was a plus, giving extra drive and flexibility

Jim Hawcutt, despite a nastily gashed eye, proved he is a must on the open side. Arkle never stopped driving his tired forwards forward and the equally young ex-Colt Davies hunted and tackled like a heat-seeking missile.

All in all there is good reason for hope and the comment heard back in the clubhouse - 'perhaps we need to be in the league below' - may yet prove to be premature and gutless.

Excluding perhaps Halifax and Darlington there are sides in this league which can be beaten. And given commitment to training there is still time to rectify the situation.

The players know the effort necessary. Let the Committee and other members stand firm behind them.

In another re-arranged North 2 East game Goole beat third-placed Huddersfield 11-0 with a try in the corner by right winger, Alan Neil, James Ruhmann adding two penalty goals.

North Ribblesdale beat their Yorkshire One visitors Selby 20-12 with tries through left winger John Walker (2) and his wing partner, Simon Spenceley. Walker added a conversion and a penalty goal.

Selby's winger, Dave Batty and Welsh lock Jason Cisero scored their tries, Karl Paterson adding a conversion.

York RI beat their Yorkshire Three visitors, Halifax Vandals, 19-5 scoring three tries through centre, Brett Dunnage, right winger, Jon-Paul Wong and hooker Geoff Russell.

Matthew Yates kicked two conversions, while Isherwood replied with an unconverted try for The Vandals.

In a non-league friendly, Scarborough beat Malton and Norton 46-5 at Newby, 'Boro scoring six tries through Andy Holloway (2), Ian Warwick, Mark Ellinor and Matthew Else. They were also awarded a penalty try when a centre tried to dive in from the side of a set scrum.

Marcus Edwards, Scarborough's influential fly half, was instrumental in most of Scarborough's scoring, kicking all the conversions and a penalty goal.

Liam Cowton scored Malton's unconverted try after his side had been 24-0 down at half time.

In another none-leaguer, Ripon beat their visitors Northallerton 27-5 at Mallorie Park scoring tries through brothers George and Alex Whitaker, Jim Metcalfe and Al Ross. Fred Oakes adding two conversions and a penalty.

Steve Robinson, playing at No. 8, replied with a try for Northallerton.

In other 'friendly' games, Wetherby went down 17-7 at Driffield and Wetherby's second string were also beaten 36-12 at home to Whitby.

Nestl Rowntree did not have a game on Saturday.