YORK RUFC stayed on course for promotion from Yorkshire One after an enjoyable and well-earned 38-22 bonus-point win at Old Brodleians.

The table-toppers were determined to put last week’s RFU Intermediate Cup semi-final disappointment behind them as they sought another step towards promotion.

And they did so, bagging the spoils with tries by Toby Atkin (2), skipper Sam Forbes, Rob Hodges, Gareth Singleton and Shane Goulding.

The conditions underfoot, although soft, bore no resemblance to last week’s atrocious surface and York seemed happy playing up the infamous Hipperholme slope in the first half.

After scrappy opening exchanges, York embarked on some scintillating attacking play culminating in scrum-half Atkin touching down under the posts, Jon Dawes adding the first of his four conversions.

They attacked again from the restart, Chris Fox and Lewis Hannibal prominent, and only desperate defence kept them out.

It took well over 10 minutes before Brods made an incursion down the slope – yet they made it pay.

York defended well but, after the hosts moved the point of attack both ways, prop Benny Pritchett crossed.

The restart kick went straight into touch, handing the initiative back to Brods, but a good clearance kick by Atkin, followed by a Brods knock-on, saw the pressure released and York stepped up the flowing rugby.

Both Sam Potrykus and Marc Benson drove strongly before Forbes finished off a flowing movement with a fine try near the posts. The conversion, though, hit an upright.

From the restart, Liam Hessay found a fine touch and, when Brods failed to throw in to the referee’s satisfaction, York looked set to press on.

However, the hosts secured loose ball on the ground, kicked forward and when York were penalised for offside, they again went for the corner. Despite stalwart defence, wing Anthony Gaughan crossed way out left.

York’s scrummage was nevertheless beginning to gain an edge and the backs were running strongly.

After Forbes drove well, number eight Joe Maud continued the movement before putting winger Hodges in behind the posts.

It was one-way traffic at this point with Fox and Hannibal again to the fore, and soon enough Atkin crossed close to the posts to make it 26-10 at the break.

York, playing down the slope on the resumption, quickly became camped in the home 22, and they added to their lead when the ball travelled left for wing Singleton to cross in the corner.

Brods, however, dug in and then subjected the York defence to a big examination. The hosts lost lineouts and conceded penalties and knock-ons but they were on the front foot and eventually stand-off John Cole crossed on the overlap for a converted try.

Aside that, York's defence was fairly secure and, eventually, on the back of successive penalties, they found themselves close to the home line, where a good rolling maul, followed by a fine Chris Peace drive, saw Goulding go over under the posts.

They would have added to their tally but for a forward pass. Instead Brods worked their way up the slope again and Cole got a second try.

Selby notched a crucial victory in their bid to escape the drop, by beating mid-table Old Rishworthians 22-18.

York RI lost 21-17 at home to Thirsk in the Yorkshire Four Shield.