YORK RUFC went level on points with third-placed Keighley in Yorkshire One as they saw off North Ribblesdale 36-0 at Clifton Park.

They will be pleased with the five points and the tries scored against a side who put up a solid, committed performance, but perhaps more pleasing was the clean sheet.

York had the slope in the first half and were keen to cement their dominance. North Ribb, missing some first-choice players, were unwilling to let them settle and, for the first ten minutes, frustrated the hosts with dogged defence, forcing them to give away penalties and slow any traction.

As the game settled, York got good field position. Good work by Jack Starkey at the breakdown won York a penalty and the kick gave them a lineout deep in the North Ribb half.

A second penalty at a ruck resulted in a lineout closer to the try line and, while the catch and drive was held up over the line, the resultant scrum gave York their first try - scrum-half Matt Hargreaves dotting down after the pack had done the grunt work. George Davies added the extras

York now looked a more settled but the North Ribb midfield defence was holding fast.

However, while the backs were unable to make significant penetration, the scrum provided good forward momentum. York used this to secure ball in the Ribb 22 and, after multiple phases drew a penalty, a quick tap by Hargreaves released Shane Goulding to barge over from short range, Davies converting.

This score gave York more momentum and, led by Goulding, they began to make better individual runs.

Some of the handling let them down slightly with the last pass either going forward or to ground.

But the half closed with a third try, Goulding getting his second after hanging on to a seemingly unwilling ball.

The second half started in the same vein with York endeavour being thwarted by committed defence by the underpowered visitors.

However, the hosts were putting a few better moves together, Neil McClure leading well from ten.

The fourth try and bonus point was duly secured after a free kick in the attacking half allowed the ball to be moved wide, where Tom Newitt stepped his opposite man and beat two more defenders with pace for an excellent converted score under the posts.

York were now keen to ensure they kept a clean sheet and, while North Ribb continued to work hard, their attacking plays were nullified well.

The hosts continued to pressurise in attack and, as the game crept into the final quarter, it was only a matter of time before more points came.

After a good run by Hugh Nicholson on the left, the ball moved right where York had greater numbers for Newitt to get his second try.

The York forwards worked hard in the closing phases and, while a mixture of fumbles and committed defence kept them out, one last try did follow. The abrasive Marc Benson was held up over the line, but York recycled the ball and moved it quickly out wide to allow Will Atkin to score.