A TOP-FOUR finish is now a realistic prospect for in-form York RUFC after a stunning 34-10 victory over Bradford Salem in Yorkshire One.

Saturday’s Clifton Park win keeps York in fifth place and only one point behind next weekend’s opponents Bridlington.

York blitzed their West Yorkshire visitors with three tries in the opening 15 minutes, with Dave Routledge being followed over the whitewash by fellow backs Richard Downey and Sam Potrykus.

Salem managed to pull back to 15-10 at half-time thanks to a converted try and a penalty, but York’s superb defence prevented any further score.

Billy Cakaunitabua crossed for the first try after the break following good work from scrum-half Ben Johnson, while the prolific Alex Nixon grabbed the last two scores.

Fly-half Paul Williams converted only two of the six tries in a wayward performance with the boot and he will need to rediscover his form for some challenging fixtures in the run-in.

New signing Mike Cawthorn, the former Leeds and Wakefield centre, made an impressive debut as a second-half substitute, while Joe Maud and Nixon were the game’s two outstanding players.

Yorkshire One form team Malton & Norton maintained their stunning revival with a 17-13 victory at second-placed Sheffield.

The Ryedale side’s fifth straight victory came hot on the heels of their eye-catching home win over leaders Wheatley Hills and puts them four points clear of the relegation zone.

The opening throes of the match were not promising for Malt as they conceded a try from the kick off. But when powerhouse centre Ryan Lonsdale was stopped by a high tackle, fellow centre Teei Piawi narrowed the gap with a penalty.

The restart again caused the visitors problems and they conceded a penalty, which Sheffield kicked.

The hosts then missed an easier kick before Malton struck back.

Piawi made good ground before giving Lonsdale a defence-breaking pass and he teed up Henry Newitt for Malt’s first try.

Piawi converted from wide out, but the home side rallied to score a try at the end of the half and claimed a 13-10 lead.

Early in the second half a superb Lonsdale run gave Malton field position and, after a series of pick and drives, hooker Nick Salibury burrowed over for his first senior try. Piawi added the extras.

David Cooke was then stopped just short of the line and Sheffield cleared. Malton were reduced to 14 men when Liam Vaughan was sin-binned on 50 minutes, but brilliant defence kept Sheffield at bay.

Selby edged closer to safety with a 26-14 victory over Scarborough at Sandhill Lane.

Pocklington’s poor run of Yorkshire Two form continued as they went down 21-10 at Barnsley.

Pock were left to rue two missed penalty attempts and soft tries conceded in each half.

Barnsley took the lead with a penalty against the run of play and they added a try.

The visitors came back strongly to be 10-8 up at the break as Nick Bennett kicked a penalty and then converted a touchdown awarded to flanker Scott Littlefair.

Pock hit a post with a penalty but Barnsley took their chances, scoring another try and kicking two penalties.

In Yorkshire Four, leaders York RI were beaten 21-18 at Rotherham Phoenix, who are now only a point adrift with three games in hand.