YORK RUFC will go into the final game of the Yorkshire One season just a point behind West Leeds in the race for a promotion play-off place.

Another bonus point victory last weekend against Old Brodleians kept York hot on the heels of their rivals in the battle for second spot.

But West Leeds are still firm favourites and their final game on April 22 is away at eleventh placed North Ribblesdale - who were hammered 62-0 by champions Bridlington this weekend. York, meanwhile, visit ninth-placed Heath in their final game.

York’s 48-12 victory over Old Brodleians maintained the only unbeaten home record in Yorkshire One this season.

The game was played in a minimal breeze and on a green but hard pitch ideal for running rugby. Both clubs also included 12 players in their 18 man squads who had progressed through the youth ranks.

After seven minutes, Toby Atkin broke from a scrum on halfway and fed the ball to Will Dunlop who went over in the corner; the conversion hit the post.

Brodleians drew level after being awarded a penalty for offside. They kicked back into the 22 and moved the ball quickly from the line-out across the pitch.

The final York defender missed the tackle and the winger went over at the flag. The conversion was missed.

For the next five minutes, both sides attempted to break away. York eventually got a lineout and a good drive to allow Dunlop to score again in the corner. A third conversion attempt of the game was unsuccessful.

The kick-off by Old Brods was knocked on by York. Old Brods won the scrum and kicked but didn’t collect cleanly.

York turned the ball over at the ruck and quickly moved the ball through hands across the pitch for Will Atkin to score in the left corner with 26 minutes gone. Another difficult conversion was missed.

Following another good lineout take, the ball came to Chris Peace who broke through to release Shane Goulding at full speed.

This resulted in a try in the corner for Josh Parker. The conversion was missed and York led 20-5 at the interval.

Early in the second half, York stole an Old Brod’s lineout. The ball went across the pitch where Hugh Nicholson put in a massive kick which just stayed in.

Chris Fox caught the return kick and charged upfield to find Josh Parker who scored under the posts. Neil McClure converted to take the score to 27-5.

Joe Simpson replaced Campbell Thomson and became the 50th player to pull on a first team shirt for York this season. Five minutes later, Dan Coe and Rupert Garland went on for William Norris and Peace.

Bizarrely, in the first real tackle they combined on one of the bigger Brods players and Coe came off with a blood injury delivered by Garland!

Brods got two quick penalties and lineouts, the latter for York not rolling away. The first was saved but they confidently drove the second over the line for a converted try.

Now patched up, Coe returned to the field and proceeded to break the line at every opportunity. After another excellent penalty kick from hand by Hessay, York got a lineout drive going for Toby Atkin to touch down for a converted try.

York then produced a memorable try. Parker’s kick off saw the ball go through several hands as forwards and backs combined across the pitch at full tilt. Nicholson collected the ball on the wing and scored under the posts; converted, 41-12.

York scored one more try to finish the day when Garland touched down after another series of good hands. Final score 48-12.