A VASTLY-IMPROVED display showed what a difference a week can make when York RUFC beat Old Brodleians 27-19 in Yorkshire One.

After George Davis missed an early penalty for the Clifton Park hosts, Brods went ahead after York were penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown.

York’s scrum dominated, managing to push Old Brods off the ball several times.

When York secured scrum possession on the Old Brods 22-metre line, they made their advantage tell.

Marcus Britland picked the ball up from the base of the scrum and broke decisively towards the line. Unable to make it all the way to the whitewash, Jeff Meredith was on hand to score York’s first try. The conversion was missed.

York executed some controlled phases of play. They collected the restart and cleared their half efficiently, securing field position deep in the Old Brods half.

A turnover by York saw captain Chris Fox drive decisively forward and release Atkin. Two more phases and York spun the ball wide. An excellent pass by Liam Watling gave his centre partner Sam Potrykus the ball and space to cross for York’s second try. Davis hit the mark with the conversion.

The remainder of the first half saw both sides exchange a penalty apiece.

But just before half-time, Andy Kay drew the wrath of the referee’s patience and was given a yellow card for not rolling away.

Old Brods started the second half the brighter and if it were not for the covering tackle of the ever-reliable Billy Cakaunitabua, they would have been in for a try within the first real attack.

An Old Brods line-out in the red zone saw them catch and drive for a try out wide, which was neatly converted to trim the deficit to 15-13.

Turnovers by both sides made it difficult for either side to stamp their authority.

For 15 minutes York pushed Old Brods hard, but scrums, line-outs and catch and drives were kept out by the visitors.

A penalty wide on the right hand side saw York catch and drive their line-out and recycle the ball, which was moved left for Watling to deftly crash over from the break down.

Straight from the re-start Old Brods kicked a penalty, followed by another to to close the gap to just one point.

As the final whistle neared, York secured a number of scrums close to the line. Neat control by Kay, now moved to number eight, allowed the scrum to inch closer.

After Kay’s drive for the score was thwarted, Daz Rutherford took the second drive and scored the all-important fourth try, Davis kicking the conversion for a bonus point victory.

Next Saturday York travel to Bradford Salem in the Yorkshire Shield quarter-final, for which the kick-off has been moved forward to 2pm.