A HAT-TRICK of tries by prolific full-back Alex Nixon earned York RUFC a 27-21 victory at Pocklington in round two of the Yorkshire Shield.

Yorkshire One side York trailed 10-5 and 18-8 at Percy Road on Saturday, but the Yorkshire Two home side were unable to contain Nixon and his fellow backs.

The full-back opened the scoring for the visitors with an unconverted try on 13 minutes.

Pock hit back to lead with 10-5 with a try for winger Dan Pickard and a Nick Bennett conversion and penalty, before Mike Cawthorn kicked a penalty for York on the half hour.

Pock added a try and penalty – both from Bennett – to their tally before York started their comeback on 50 minutes with a try by winger Billy Cakaunitabua and conversion by Cawthorn.

On the hour, Nixon bagged his second score and Cawthorn’s kick put the visitors 22-18 in front.

With three minutes remaining, Nixon’s hat-trick try – also converted by Cawthorn – made the game safe. Bennett kicked a consolation penalty.

High-flying Malton & Norton joined York in round three after thrashing Bridlington 60-0 at The Gannock.

The Ryedale side, who top Yorkshire One with nine wins from nine games, took the opportunity to rest several first team regulars and blood a number of fringe players and young prospects. Malton, however, showed they meant business and the first score came after four minutes.

The pack produced good ball for the backs and centre Tony Maka burst over between the posts and fly-half Tom Gravell converted.

Shortly afterwards, Brid infringed at a ruck and Gravell struck a penalty. Scrum-half Tom Collard took a quick tap penalty and crossed for Malt’s second try. Gravell added the extras. Some neat handling ended with prop forward Liam Vaughan crossing close to the posts. Again Gravell was on target with the conversion and Malt had a 24-0 lead with only 20 minutes on the clock. A strong break from Maka paved the way for another try before half-time as full-back Tom Newitt sprinted in along the touchline. Gravell converted and Malton went into the break with a 31-point advantage.

Malton made numerous changes in the opening minutes of the second period, but the tries kept coming as substitute Ryan Lonsdale and Tom Newitt took centre stage in the scoring department.

In Yorkshire Three, York RI went down 38-3 at Rotherham Phoenix.