YORK endured a joyless visit to Pontefract as they were convincingly beaten 24-0 in a Powergen Yorkshire One result.

Superficially, title-chasing York should have had the measure of lowly Pontefract but the Cakes have had some useful, if losing, recent performances in both league and cup. And it showed as York were bettered in every department and now lie third some six points behind leaders Sheffield Tigers, who visit Clifton Park in a fortnight's time.

This match will be followed by a trip to fifth-placed Bradford Salem with Pontefract returning the visit the following week. This is a tough run-up to the Christmas break and the York squad will need to take a severe look at their commitment and organisation if they are to start the new year with any prospect of promotion.

York's opening was promising enough as, playing down the slope, they enjoyed considerable possession and territorial advantage but had no points to show for their endeavours.

After 12 minutes Pontefract worked their way into the York half and spun the ball out to the right. Immediately the ball was recycled left where number eight Ben Cutts burst through a disorganised defence to score near the posts, centre Andy Dean converting.

York had the possession for most of the remainder of the half but poor passing, bad alignment and lack of straight running limited their progress against a side with an effective back row and powerful centres.

In the second half, Karl Patterson used his boot to gain position against the slope but some of the other kicking merely served to transfer possession to an eager opposition and after ten minutes the hosts harnessed their growing forward power to earn a roll-over try.

York's hopes rose as Patterson went through on an interception but London-based Kiwi referee Don Fisher was playing Pontefract advantage.

Within minutes, home full-back Dave Thorpe went under the posts for a Dean conversion and a 17-point lead and York's fate was settled when they lost the possession trying to run out of defence and Ponte quickly delivered the ball to left wing Nick Bateman to romp over for another Dean conversion.

York continued to have a majority of possession and territory but they could not muster the ingenuity and strength to upset a composed and compact opposition whose tight marking and sure tackling earned them a merited success.

Updated: 10:07 Monday, November 21, 2005