York RI started the new season with a hard-fought 16-10 Yorkshire Three victory over Bramley Phoenix at New Lane.
Although not at full strength, RI opened the scoring after ten minutes when Andy Watson jinked through the Bramley defence to score, his conversion sealing a 7-0 lead.
In a rare Bramley foray they reduced the deficit, scrum half Stuart Warne kicking a penalty when RI were adjudged offside.
Play became scrappy with both sides guilty of simple mistakes and over elaboration, but a penalty by Stuart Watson restored the seven-point advantage.
Just before the break and against the run of play Bramley pulled level through centre Simon Jackson's try converted by Warne to level the score at 10-10 by half-time.
In the second half RI showed the greater determination and only last-ditch tackling stopped Nash and then Ashman from extending the home side's lead. It took two Watson penalties to eventually secure the win.
Updated: 11:33 Monday, September 08, 2003
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