YORK visited the scene of last season's worst performances and made amends - thrashing Yarnbury 52-10 at their Horsforth base thanks to an outstanding second-half show.

The result, after an entertaining encounter, lifted them to sixth in Yorkshire One, three points off the play-off place.

Furthermore, with all 18 players contributing and with more men due back from injury, hopes are high that competition for places can help the team can kick on upwards.

The early signs, after a lacklustre last training session, were not good as York conceded two sloppy penalties and a sixth-minute try after a sweeping move.

Good breaks from Sam Potrykus, Lewis Hannibal and Shane Goulding were foiled as support was lacking, before York eventually got on the scoresheet via a George Davies penalty.

But they fumbled the restart, allowing the hosts to set off another good attack which yielded a second try.

Suitably stirred, York put together better phases to earn a penalty which was kicked to the five-metre line.

Marc Benson went close and the recycled ball was fed to winger Tom Newitt, who wriggled over.

Desperate touchline defence prevented Yarnbury from replying following another fumble from the restart, before York launched an attack from where a decent loop round and break from Liam Hessay found Goulding in space.

He fed winger Adam Penistone to score in the corner for a 13-10 lead on the half-hour.

York were now finding their rhythm and a snipe through from Toby Atkin earned another Davies three-pointer.

The visitors produced a breathtaking match-winning 20-minute spell after the break.

Colts hooker Jack Starkey came off the bench for an excellent league debut, alongside Dan Coe and Jon Dawes. Newitt also switched to outside-centre and Gareth Singleton to the wing.

Starkey made an immediate impact in securing a penalty and, from the attacking lineout, York were awarded a penalty try as the pack rumbled towards the line. Yarnbury also had a man sin-binned and Davies slotted the conversion for a 23-10 lead.

Soon, Dawes' scything run and offload saw Goulding sidestep through to feed speedster Newitt. He was tackled just short but excellent support produced quick ball for Coe to barge over, Davies converting.

A minute later, Hannibal charged upfield and fed Newitt whose pace took him to the 20-metre line. Big winger Singleton took the pass, cut inside and fed Atkin to scamper over against his old club, Davies converting.

Yarnbury nearly capitalised on a cavalier loose pass in midfield, Newitt requiring medical attention after the ensuing ruck. But York secured a turnover on their five-metre line from where the ball found Newitt who - clearly okay - rounded his marker and scorched the length of the pitch.

Yarnbury launched another promising attack only for Penistone to intercept and find enough gas in the tank to score.

With York tiring, Yarnbury gained their third try through a catch and drive.

But, in a frenetic game, the visitors found their second wind, with men-of-the-match back-rowers Goulding and Hannibal at the heart of things.

Yarnbury enjoyed some rare territory and possession and claimed a bonus-point try from a rolling maul.

But York finished on a high as Starkey made a strong run from the restart, fly-half Hessay chipped through and Singleton, despite limping, kicked on and collected for the final try.