DESPITE going down 25-8 to Knottingley, York RI RUFC put in a much improved performance and could soon break their Yorkshire Two duck.

Electing to play against the wind and rain in the first half, RI kept the ball tight and they continually drove Knottingley back.

Paul Reed, James Li and Garrett Mallon picked and drove for 20 metres before the visitors were caught offside and Ben Hobson put RI in front with a penalty.

Knottingley went ahead with a converted try when poor tackling let in winger Seed.

From the restart, RI continued to use their forwards to make ground and, from a drive by John Alexander the ball was shipped to Hobson, who drew the full-back and passed to Hart to score in the corner.

Knottingley's 10-8 half-time lead looked fragile but they extended their lead with a converted try. A penalty and another try just before the close gave Knottingley victory.