YORK RUFC rose to seventh in the Regional One North East table after a tight 24-23 victory over Sandal at Clifton Park.

The visitors started the game strongly, attacking with intent, but were unsuccessful in notching an early try.

York, however, broke forward with a passage of play after absorbing the pressure and Jonty Atkinson opened the scoring.

The hosts swiftly scored a second try through Toby Atkin from a line out in their own half.

Putting together some strong attacking moves, Sandal went on to concede a penalty which was duly converted by Declan Cusack.

York entered the half-time break with a 16-6 lead and defended well against Sandal to begin the second half.

A failure to kick deep, however, resulted in a rolling maul from which the visitors profited.

Down to just 14 men, York succeeded in furthering their score through yet another Cusack penalty.

Poor defence soon after, though, saw York’s lead reduced to just one point at 20-19. With just minutes remaining, York were down by four points.

The Clifton Park side continued to put Sandal under pressure and from a five-metre scrum, Willem Enslin pushed over for the try that was converted, giving York a one-point lead with just a minute remaining.

Next up for York is a clash with West Bridgford on Saturday, November 26, who currently sit at the bottom of the table.