YORK RUFC's unbeaten start to the new Yorkshire One season came to an end as they lost 27-15 to Bradford Salem at Clifton Park.

Despite starting brightly, they came second best to a West Yorkshire side who were hungrier, more ambitious and aggressive.

A quick tap by York scrum half Ben Johnson saw him dive under the post for the first score and, converted by John Dawes, the home side were 7-0 up within the first 15 minutes.

Dawes extended that lead with a penalty following a Salem infringement at the breakdown but the visitors took their chances better in the next ten minutes to level the scores.

Centre Harry Hall skipped through a leaky York defence to cross against the run of play and Danny Belcher converted the both the try and a penalty three minutes later as the teams went in level at the break.

Bradford took the lead early in the second half with a long-range Belcher penalty and, while the York scrum remained a source of clean secure possession, the line-out was not as reliable, with Bradford stealing a number of balls from the York throw-in.

Bradford were also piling the pressure on York at the breakdown and Hall then broke a number of tackles to score his second try as the Clifton Parkers fell 20-10 behind.

Centre Chris Peace picked up a yellow card and Bradford were down to 14 with Wood receiving a red for retaliation. Fly-half Andy Robinson, though, touched down to make it 27-10 and York managed a consolation through captain Chris Fox.

Malton & Norton had to fight every inch to beat Old Crossleyans 32-19.

Scrum-half Zweli Sodladla scored the opening try, picking up and driving over after Josh Heggie set up a ruck close to the line.

But Crossleyans replied with a penalty.

Malton were playing some good rugby but each time the home side got into the Malton half they were awarded a penalty. All were dispatched as the visitors trailed 12-7 at the break.

The Ryedale side got the second period off to the best start. Back row Sam Harrison was driven over by supporting players and Sodlada converted the try to give Malton back the lead.

That was extended after ten minutes with a Sodlada penalty and, at the half-way point, wing Ben Woodhouse crashed over in the corner after several forward drives were stopped just short.

Again, Crossleyans fought back and they trailed by just three points entering the last five minutes.

A further Sodlada penalty increased the lead to 25-19 and, subsequently, skipper Sam Triffitt crossed as Malton secured their fourth try.

Pocklington gave a much improved performance despite losing 46-29 at Percy Road to Doncaster Phoenix in North One East.

With three Colts making their debuts and six teenagers in the line-up for Pock, Doncaster also fielded a number of promising youngsters but had a nucleus of former professionals with extensive Premiership and Championship experience.

The old heads were prominent as Doncaster took an early lead, but Pocklington raised their game to storm back for wing Josh Britton to step through on the left, Billy Hardy converting.

Doncaster regained the lead before Josh Britland scored, following up a kick from Ben Rees to cross under the posts, and give Pocklington a 17-13 half-time lead.

They started the second half on the attack but Doncaster's big game players turned the table and the visitors pulled clear with a trio of tries in quick succession, two from their own half as Pocklington's tackling let them down.

Pocklington came back strongly. Centre Jack Holbrough powered down the left to go over in the corner and Britland picked up his second touchdown.

Doncaster had the last word, crossing for a seventh time with the last play of the game.

Selby were hammered 56-0 at Hullensians in Yorkshire One.