YORKSHIRE One foes York and Sheffield Tigers finished level in a bruising fixture at Clifton Park.

But it was York who will be the more satisfied with the 12-12 draw, after their XV, hit by overnight injuries, became the first team this season to take a point from the runaway league leaders.

It wasn't a game for cowards, as some bone-crunching hits, and a mass brawl in a bad-tempered first-half, left their mark physically on both sets of players.

York started the encounter missing Fijian winger Billy Cakaunitabua and replacement winger Nathan McBride with an injured back - forcing veteran Rob Liddle to fill in.

York still began the better and took the lead after two minutes when Tigers transgressed and fly-half Carl Paterson dispatched the penalty.

The lead lasted just six minutes. York ball-watched following a penalty and allowed Tigers' centre Rudi Froneman to stagger over the line.

In the scrum, York were as dominant as they had been seven days earlier against Morley. But Sheffield's game was simple - kick for possession, win the line-out and drive forward with the maul.

If it was simple, it was also hugely effective. York had little answer to Tigers' powerful driving and it was no surprise when hooker Dave Price was the man to touch down after a catch-and-drive laid waste to York's forwards after 31 minutes.

Having secured a 12-3 lead, Tigers' narrowly failed to score a third try with an identical move and York limped into the break.

That was after things got ugly when York's Cory Wallace, Stu Davies and Rob Kama got involved in a fight which involved most of both teams and left Tigers' Matt Wood sporting a huge welt below his right eye. Amazingly referee Stuart Franks took no action.

The Clifton Parkers' came out in determined fashion for the second period and Paterson reduced the deficit on 47 minutes with a penalty.

When Tigers' lock Ed Knaggs was sent to the bin for a high tackle two minutes later, there seemed every chance that York could take advantage.

They may well have taken the lead, but for lapses in concentration from York centre Nick Ventress, who twice knocked on when passed a simple ball with space to spare.

The Tigers clever game-plan was unravelled as York halted the maul and attacked at the scrum.

Sheffield still had a chance to wrap things up with 17 minutes remaining but fly-half Richard Butler contrived to miss the simplest of penalties.

Paterson made him pay, slotting a kick from 22 metres four minutes later. He hit a more difficult effort through the uprights to tie the scores with three minutes left on the clock.

York could have even won it in stoppage time, when a loose kick from Tigers put the ball in the hands of speedy winger Kama. He skipped round two men but was felled with a suspiciously high tackle, but one which did not draw the penalty.

York skipper Andy Kay said: "It was intense, and a good game to play in. At home you always want to win, but we have won the only point that has been taken from them this season.

"That's a point we've gained on every one else and we can build from that. We have had people missing, away and injured so we are satisfied."

Updated: 11:33 Monday, December 05, 2005