YORK Rugby Union Club's 2nd XV were beaten 30-17 by Wheatley Hills after fading in the later stages.

Despite Wheatley being the heavier pack, York scrummaged extremely well, often driving the visitors off their own ball, but it was a penalty after 35 mins that allowed Toby Cockroft to give York the lead.

Two quick penalties gave Wheatley a 6-3 half-time lead which they extended when York caught the second half kick-off but spilled the ball in contact allowing their opponents to run in a soft but unconverted try.

After great pressure York were rewarded with a try for wing Joe Brown, stepping inside to touch down under the posts, Cockcroft converting for the lead again.

Wheatley's reply was to move the ball out wide, but a long pass was caught by Rich Hathaway and, in his first game for the 'A side, he raced 60m to score. The conversion was missed but York had a six point lead.

But in the last half hour York were not their best, Wheatley stepped up a gear, and played route one rugby to score three tries as the home side continued to make mistakes and play to the visitors strength. An additional blow was when RAF flanker Johnny Latimer damaged ankle ligaments and left the field.