YORK RUFC lost their final game of the Yorkshire One campaign 28-19 at Heath - but the club are still celebrating a successful season across the board.

Not only did the first team sweep to the title in style, but the second XV also finished joint-top of Conference 'B' Merit League.

Pleasingly for the development of the club, junior sides graduates Oscar Bell, Alistair Bradford, Kyle Consterdine, Lewi Jackson, Harrison Savage, Harry Taylor and Tom Williams all made the step up to the first team this term.

The Yorkshire One champions won 21 of their 25 games and finished three points clear of second-placed Scarborough, despite seeing their scheduled season-closer against Keighley scrapped.

They also came within three points of a Twickenham final in the RFU Intermediate Cup.

Even with the defeat at Heath, York lost just three of their games this term, with two of those coming after their champion status had been confirmed.

Both sides named strong teams for the clash, with Chris Peace starting at scrum-half for York, Jon Dawes and Sam Forbes in the centres and George Davies at full-back.

Heath took an early lead when flanker Jason Merrie carried the ball forward, retained possession and recycled before scrum-half Peter Birkett got over the line for Ezra Hinchcliffe to convert.

Both teams were looking to involve the backs, with Heath playing through a set move at speed while, for York, Dawes showed soft hands to bring other players into the game.

The two sides have strong forwards and the battle between Heath second-rower Matt Beasty and Chris Fox proved interesting.

Dawes scored for York after creating an overlap with Harry Taylor on the wing, but the scorer missed his own conversion.

Alex McFadden, Beasty and Chris Moore also went close for York only for Jordan Moana to power over one pass out from the ruck for Heath. A good conversion followed for a nine-point half-time home lead.

Both teams used their backs as the second half progressed and a Heath knock-on in midfield presented an opportunity for Gareth Singleton on the wing, but the ball was turned over during recycle.

The influential Jason Merrie then pushed over to score for Heath and Hinchcliffe extended their lead with the conversion.

York made some changes with Will Atkin coming on at scrum-half and Peace moving to the centres while Marc Benson swapped with Fox in the second row and Jackson changed with Steve Johnson at tight-head.

Harry Taylor scored for York in plenty of space on the wing and the conversion by Dawes was excellent.

However, the Heath forwards competed at all times with their captain and flanker, Ian Downsborough, often involved, and York did not have the numbers to stop Moana getting his second try. The conversion was also good.

Heath were then denied an impressive try as a pass was adjudged forward before Davies linked with Lewis Hannibal to cross for York and Dawes to convert for the final score of the day.