SCRAPPY York RUFC were flattered by the 34-16 scoreline as they beat Keighley to claim their first win in three Yorkshire One games.

The Clifton Park victory moved York up to third place, three points behind pacesetters Doncaster Phoenix.

An early try from York’s Marcus Britland was matched by a touch down from Keighley skipper Daniel McGee in the left corner.

York had stiffened their pack with the return of Harry Scurr and Darren Rutherford, and a superb forward drive took play close to the Keighley try-line, but the move came to an end when the ball went to ground.

York’s early pressure was rewarded with a second try when Will Dutton forced his way over the line and Kevin Johnson added the simple conversion.

Play then became scrappy, with York conceding far too many penalties, one of which Ben Blackwell converted. Britland was yellow carded and Blackwell’s subsequent penalty reduced York’s lead to only one point.

However, Johnson soon increased that advantage to four points with his first penalty and a poor first-half ended with the hosts leading 15-11.

York added to their lead early in the second period when Eddie Bradshaw took advantage of a misfield of a high defensive kick by Johnson to race under the posts, giving Johnson an easy conversion.

Keighley hit back and almost scored when Johnson had a kick charged down but Billy Cakaunitabua saved the day with a brilliant tackle.

Poor York tackling put the visitors into the hosts’ 22 and a further indiscretion gave Blackwell another penalty attempt, which he sliced wide.

York rotated their forwards to freshen up the pack and quickly scored again when Bradshaw raced clear and found Cakaunitabua in support, and he put Alex Nixon over for a bonus point sealing fourth try.

Bradshaw was then rewarded for his attacking flair with a try under the posts, which Johnson converted. Keighley had the last word with a try in the final minute from scrum-half Ian Woodwiss. Meanwhile, Selby made it three wins in four Yorkshire One matches as they beat Scarborough 22-20 at Sandhill Lane.

Fly-half Josh Cruise kicked two first-half penalties but his side trailed 20-6 at the break.

Tries from winger Alex Hare and centre Teihana Brown sandwiched a Cruise penalty as Selby closed to 20-19 before Cruise won the game with a penalty four minutes from time.