VICTORY was snatched from the jaws of defeat by York RUFC 'A' at West Hartlepool.

They were trailing 29-26 in injury time when the home side conceded a penalty five metres out.

Instead of taking the easy three points on offer York skipper Joe Nasson opted for a quick tap penalty which saw Rob Allen spin the ball out to Tom Copeland, whose superbly weighted grubber kick saw Rob Liddle beat two defenders to the touch down. Fly-half Copeland converted with the final touch of the game.

It was the final act of a thrilling see-saw game which saw York leading 26-12 until Wests got their noses in front with three late tries.

York opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a try by former St Peter's player Oli Butler, who was making his debut at prop.

Jim Hawcutt, outstanding at No 8 for York, combined with Copeland to set up Liddle for a great solo try. Copeland's kick made it 12-0.

York continued to press and were rewarded when scrum-half Matthew Boyle, making his first appearance in a York shirt for five years after breaking a leg, scampered over. Copeland's conversion gave York a healthy lead but Wests scored a converted try just before the interval.

West Hartlepool's forwards drove over for an unconverted try but York eased the pressure when Copeland charged down a kick, collected the ball and raced over for a converted try.

That gave York a 14-point but in the end they had to conjure up a piece of last-gasp magic to secure a thrilling victory.

York 2nds entertain Scarborough at Clifton Park on Saturday, while the York first team travel to Selby for a North Yorkshire derby non-League game.

Updated: 10:31 Thursday, December 11, 2003