YORK RUFC maintained their strong start to the season with an impressive victory over Doncaster RUFC.

York welcomed Doncaster, who arrived having won all of their three matches played and topping the table, whereas the hosts had lost their opening game but had picked up back-to-back victories.

York had a strong side and having beaten the visitors both home and away last season, were hoping to register their third win of the season.

Doncaster started the stronger side and took the game to York, chipping the ball over the last line of defence, collecting the ball and touching down in the corner. The conversion was missed.

From the kick-off, York went on the attack and took full advantage of a penalty kicked to the corner and scored after a catch and drive. Archie Fothergill coming up with the ball. The conversion was missed, with the score 5-5 after eight minutes.

York continued to attack and after 26 minutes, the Doncaster centre was yellow carded. York took full advantage, again kicking to the corner, and whilst the forwards were unable to score the ball went along the line and the winger Mitch Ashman touched down in the corner after 28 minutes. The conversion was missed, the score now 10-5.

Doncaster’s kick-off went straight into touch, but the resulting scrum went down and the York hooker and captain Ross White had to leave the field due to injury.

This didn’t deter York who continued to attack and after several phases of play the ever-alert Toby Atkin broke from the 22metre line, eluded the defenders and scored under the posts, Harry Shackleton kicked the conversion to take the score to 17-5 after 35 minutes.

Overall, a very satisfactory half for the hosts and particularly their discipline, conceding only five penalties to Doncaster’s 10 which reflected the amount of possession and territory they enjoyed and the pressure they were able to exert.

The home supporters were looking forward to the second half which started as the first had ended, with York battering the visitor’s line, but it was not until 15 minutes had passed that they were able to score a try.

Archie Fothergill again the scorer. The conversion was missed. 22-5 to the home side.

From the kick-off, York came back on the attack with good interplay between the forwards and backs and after 20 minutes the pressure told, and Jonty Atkinson ran in from the 22 to add five points. George Davies taking over the kicking duties added a further two points from the conversion.

York’s defence was well organised and kept the visitors at bay, but the pressure eventually told and they conceded a try in the corner which the visitors could not convert to make the final score 29-10.

Overall, a very good York team performance played at pace to which all the players contributed against a robust and physical Doncaster.

The win takes York to second in the league behind Harrogate who many pundits have tipped to finish top.

Next on the agenda is a trip to Driffield, who are third in the league.