YORK RI got back to winning ways with a 17-11 Yorkshire Three victory over Stocksbridge at New Lane.

RI played against a strong breeze and driving rain in the first half and it was up to Stocksbridge's veteran fly-half Dave Francis to press home their advantage.

Stocksbridge went in front from one of Francis' clearances when the ball was knocked on and from the resulting scrum RI were penalised. Francis kicked the penalty and five minutes later again obliged to put Stocksbridge 6-0 ahead.

RI tested the visitors' defence with Heslop and Grice combining well in the centre but the home side fell further behind when another long punt by Francis into the corner was allowed to bounce and indecision let Julian Wilkinson in to score.

The second half was only five minutes old when RI reduced the arrears. A break from the back of the line saw Nathan Ashman power his way over the line and Matthew Yates converted.

It was now Yates' turn to dictate play and at every opportunity he drove the visitors back into their own half. Stockbridge defended well and for a long period held out but pressure eventually told and from a tap penalty ten metres out Mathew Stewart barged over. Yates converted to make it 14-11 and with the clock running down he added a penalty to complete the victory.

Updated: 09:16 Monday, October 04, 2004