YORK RUFC got their Regional 1 North East season back on track with a 25-5 victory at home to Ilkley.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, York managed a narrow victory by just one point, and were helped in no same measure by Ilkley both conceding 14 penalties in the second half and having three players yellow-carded.

With two defeats since Christmas seeing their lead at the top of the table diminish, the game certainly provided some welcome tonic for the hosts.

York were without scrum-half Toby Atkin after a season-ending injury, with new loanee Matt Ferguson coming into the squad in his place, whilst injured fly-half Harry Shackleton was replaced by the ever-versatile George Davies.

The hosts were straight onto the attack from kick-off, but a clash of heads between two Ilkley players saw their hooker unable to continue.

York continued to camp themselves in the Ilkley half, and it was perhaps little surprise when Davies surged through a gap to cross for the game’s opening points.

Liam Hessay had no problems with the conversion, nor from a 27-metre penalty to extend his side’s lead.

Although York kept up their early pressure, Ilkley began to see some of the ball. A line break took them into the home 22, and after several phases of play, they scored into the corner to halve the deficit with 25 minutes played.

Normal service soon resumed for the hosts, but all that they had to show for it was a further three points from the ever-reliable Hessay, with a combination desperate defence by the visitors and poor handling meaning no further score was added, even after an Ilkley player was yellow-carded.

York were not able to capitalise on their man advantage after the interval either, for though the majority of play took place in the visitors’ 22, they could not quite get over the line.

But eventually, they found a breakthrough as debutant Ferguson broke from a scrum and ran in from 20 metres to take the score to 20-5.

The hosts appeared as if they had a respectable lead, and their supporters hoped that further scores would follow, for they remained camped in Ilkley’s half.

However, again a solid, well-organised and at times desperate defence kept York at bay.

The temptation for the hosts was to spread the ball wide, but the visitors relished the challenge of tackling York’s forwards, who took on the majority of the work load.

As the end of the game approached and no further score appeared likely until Oscar Bell broke through the defence to score wide out.

The conversion was missed and there was only time for Ilkley to kick off before the game reached its conclusion.

York will be pleased with the final 25-5 score, especially taking into account a new scrum-half who only joined the club a matter of days before the game, and the absence of the usual fly half.

With no fixture next weekend, York will return to action at third-placed Harrogate on February 17, where they will hope to do the double over their opponents in a match likely to have huge implications in the race for promotion.