YORK booked their place in the last four of the RFU Intermediate Cup following a 25-11 home victory over Bowdon.

Tries from Gareth Singleton, Will Atkin, Toby Atkin and Shane Goulding, along with a Jon Dawes conversion and penalty, settled the quarter-final tie and set up an Easter Saturday meeting with the winners of the Midlands division.

Joe Maud, Liam Hessay, Singleton and Rob Hodges all returned to the hosts’ starting line-up at Clifton Park and, in perfect conditions, York kicked off and immediately put Bowdon under pressure with some controlled rugby.

It took five minutes for the game’s first score when the ball was worked out to the right and a well-timed pass from Will Atkin put Singleton in for a try that wasn’t converted.

From the restart, the Yorkshire One leaders went straight back into the Bowdon half and were awarded a penalty for off-side which was missed.

That seemed to stir the visitors into action and they started to play some good rugby, retaining possession and working their way up the pitch, which resulted in a penalty that was converted to reduce the deficit to 5-3 on the quarter-hour mark.

York responded with a powerful break from Maud that released Will Atkin to race over, but the conversion was again missed.

The Greater Manchester side went on to enjoy a sustained period of possession with their backs looking dangerous and, from a scrum five metres out, a try meant they pulled closer at 10-8, although a chance to take the lead was missed from the subsequent conversion attempt.

But, after Hodges broke half the length of the pitch to open up the Bowdon defence only for his final pass to be dropped ten metres from the line, the away team won a penalty, which saw them lead for the first time three minutes before the interval.

York ensured they kicked off the second period with an advantage, though, when Toby Atkin crossed the line for another unconverted try.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs, good kicking from hand by Hessay and Dawes forced play deep into the Bowdon half, but the rugby from both sides was not as free flowing as the first half, with numerous minor injuries and refereeing decisions breaking up play.

York continued to gain good field position from penalties, only for the line-out to be lost, while the windy conditions were proving difficult for both hookers throwing in, as well as for the goal kickers.

The home side eventually put some phases of play together and a long pass from Hessay freed the excellent Goulding to score under the posts, with Dawes converting.

Dawes also added a penalty and York proceeded to manage the game through to the final whistle, using the blustery conditions to keep Bowdon in their own half.

York return to league action this weekend with a home game against Keighley.