YORK RUFC recovered from a woeful start to win 34-21 at Keighley and remain unbeaten at the top of Yorkshire One.

Playing on Keighley's excellent new synthetic pitch at Utley, the Clifton Parkers found themselves 14 points behind in the opening quarter as they gifted the home side possession.

The scoring began after York dropped the ball in midfield, the hosts's riposte finished by debutant wing-forward Tom Willson, which fly-half Alex Brown converted from in front of the sticks.

Brown again added the extras after winger Joe Copperwaite carve through and sprinted home.

York teenager Tom Williams came on for the injured Joe Maud and ended up playing most of the game, replacing a string of injuries.

Nevertheless, after 25 minutes, Toby Atkin opened the visitors' account with a trademark try which Jon Dawes converted from the touchline.

York then settled into their normal routine and their speedy backs had Keighley defending desperately before wing-forward Lewis Hannibal scored in the corner.

Dawes converted with another long kick to level the scores at 14-14 at the break.

York began the second half strongly and increased their lead after 10 minutes with a good try from winger Rob Hodges, again converted by Dawes, who also added a penalty for offside minutes later.

York's other teenager, Lewis Jackson, came on when York picked up a yellow card and their struggle with 14 men was made worse when centre Chris Peace was injured and forced to retire. The in-form Gareth Singleton, however, was an excellent replacement.

Keighley used their extra man to good advantage as their big pack pounded the York line, the pressure eventually telling as Dan Snowden was driven over in the corner. Brown converted to reduce York's lead to three points.

However, more York pressure saw Dawes eke the lead up with another penalty. Maud also came back on to strengthen the defence, while a great run from Dawes was only held up just short of the home line.

York got their bonus-point try with minutes remaining when Singleton crossed in the corner, Dawes again converting with an excellent kick.

Full-back Dawes was the visitors' man of the match with a superb all-round performance in what had been a close affair.