York's eagerly-awaited North East Two basement battle with Beverley went the way of the visitors on a very sticky Clifton Park pitch.

The 12-6 defeat means York have now gone nine league games without a win.

Wind and rain made the conditions dreadful and York's relatively light, fast moving style of play, is clearly suffering against the bigger heavier sides.

The game was one in which York dominated the territory but never really threatened Beverley's line.

From the moment Beverley took the lead with a cleverly constructed converted try, after abour 15 minutes York were playing "catch up" rugby.

Flanker Dave Worrall was the man who crossed the whitewash for Beverley with Mike Kilgannon adding the extras.

York chased the game manfully but without really challenging the gain line and with defences becoming ever tighter this was just not good enough.

Dirk Mulder reduced the deficit to only four points before the interval with a well taken penalty.

He added another shortly after the break to cut the arrears to just one point but that was as close as York got.

Their inability to exert real and continuous pressure resulted in more and more frantic efforts with the inevitable consequence of a Beverley try from second row Dave Garness, very much against the run of play but this time unconverted, just before the close.

The loss leaves a huge and widening gap between York and league safety with some very stern tests coming shortly.

In reality, York seem to have forgotten how to win and although the spirit has held up well, it almost seems that the team needs a rest from the incessant pressure of league matches and a little time to heal. Again they were hit on Saturday as Matt Halifax ( damaged back), and Adie Martin (dislocated thumb), were replaced by Humphries and Jim Hawcutt, the latter making a welcome return after a three-week absence.

York still have to register a point this season and are four points adrift of Old Crossleyans, who were hammered 34-7 at home by Huddersfield.

Halifax maintained their 100 per cent winning record by thrashing West park Bramhope 47-0 and have opened up a four-point gap at the top from Darlington, 58-5 winners over Bridlington.

Goole had two tries disallowed but still managed to beat Alnwick 15-5 in the first meeting between the two clubs with tries by prop Neil Lyons and centre Huw Davies, skipper James Ruhmann converting one and adding a penalty.

Right winger Dapo Odumero scored a try for Alnwick, who trailed 12-5 at half time.

Goole, who also had a couple of tries disallowed, have two matches in hand and should they win those then they would be up near the top challenging Halifax and the rest.