YORK RUFC took a big step towards play-off qualification with this 23-21 victory over Yarnbury.

Defeat would have been a major blow on a weekend when second placed West Leeds - the team they are looking to catch - lost 15-10 at leaders Bridlington.

But a late fightback saw Lee Denham’s side not only winning but closing the gap on West Leeds to just three points with seven games to play in Yorkshire One.

They also survived a massive scare when a last minute Yarnbury penalty - which would have stolen the points - struck the post.

With Chris Fox unavailable, Darren Rutherford moved to the second row and took the captain’s armband. Chris Peace played at scrum-half, Sam Potrykus and Tom Newitt played in the centres, and Campbell Thomson started at open-side flanker.

The start of the game was difficult for both teams. The soft ground made it hard to change direction, retain balance or move quickly. There were also handling errors due to the impact of the cold.

George Davies opened the scoring for York with a penalty. Will Atkin scored the first try but the conversion was missed, 8-0.

The game had plenty of bite and the referee needed to speak to both captains twice in the first half. Will Marshall (15) kicked a penalty for Yarnbury, 8-3.

A converted Jack Brown try gave Yarnbury the lead. Brown scored his second try of the game to increase the lead. Yarnbury kicked a penalty, 8-18.

Atkin then scored again for York but the conversion was missed, 13-18.

It was an intense game. Campbell Thomson, the York flanker, was tackling well and George Oldridge was playing well at fly-half for Yarnbury.

Following a drive by the York pack, Dan Coe, on as a replacement, scored for York. The conversion was successful giving York a 20-18 lead.

George Davies kicked a long penalty taking the score to 23-18. Yarnbury replied with a penalty of their own, 23-21.

Yarnbury had a dramatic late opportunity to win the match with a penalty, 45 metres out, but the ball hit the post much to the relief of York’s players and supporters.