YORK RUFC continued their march at the top of the Yorkshire One table by seeing off Moortown 32-15 at Clifton Park - equalling a club record to boot.

The victory made it nine wins out of nine so far this season, matching their best-ever start to a season set in 1982-83.

It also made it 20 consecutive home games without defeat.

Scarborough and Heath also both won, though, to stay on their coattails, the former edging a 34-32 victory at Old Rishworthians.

The York team was settled with Tom Williams starting at openside flanker and Joe Maud at number eight. They also had the wind in their favour in the first period.

Moortown attacked from the off but knocked the ball on, and inside centre Chris Peace passed to Tom Williams, who went over for York’s first try of the match inside five minutes - and his first in senior rugby after coming through the junior ranks at Clifton Park.

The visitors, promoted last season and looking to consolidate at this level, were not cowed. Their scrum was competing well and, in some cases, putting pressure upon the York pack.

After a spell of possession in the York half, winger Alekaii Robinson chose a good running line from set-piece ball to score. Daryl Gaunt kicked the conversion to give the visitors the lead.

York replied quickly. They had an overlap in the back line and exploited it - centre Sam Forbes, the captain, ultimately getting on the outside of his man and feeding John Dawes, in the line from full-back, to score.

Straight from the restart, Chris Fox caught the ball, advanced and fed second-row partner Luke Stockton, who scored. Dawes kicked an excellent conversion.

Moortown responded again. After being awarded a penalty deep in York territory, they chose to form a scrum. When the ball came out, their backs quickly passed it across the width of the field and Robinson got his second try.

Nevertheless, York extended their lead with a bonus-point try.

Committed to a strong scrum, Moortown did not pick up Maud on the blind side and he went over the whitewash. The conversion was also good.

Gaunt reduced the lead with a penalty but then York scored again.

Chris Peace ran intelligently and released Maud, who committed defenders to the tackle before off-loading to winger Rob Hodges to cross.

The conversion hit a post but it was still 29-15 at half-time.

Only three points were added in an even second half, Dawes kicking a penalty in the very last minute to make the final score 32-15.

Meanwhile, Selby’s winless run at the foot of the table continued with a 34-5 defeat at fellow strugglers North Ribblesdale. The hosts had themselves been without a win prior to this encounter.

In Yorkshire Four, mid-table York Railway Institute were handed a walkover win by troubled Rossington Hornets, who have conceded four other league and cup matches this term and remain without a point.