10:24am Monday 15th March 2010
HIGH-FLYING York RUFC climbed to fourth in Yorkshire One – but they needed a last-minute penalty at Bridlington to do it.
Fly-half Paul Williams kept his cool to slot over his third penalty of the match to seal a 9-6 victory and ensure York leapfrogged their hosts in the table.
It was surprising that such a free-flowing game did not produce a try, but the two rivals cancelled each other out for long periods.
The home side led 6-0 at the break after two penalties, but York clawed their way back to parity in the second period before Williams snatched the points.
Rob Allen played well up front for York, while Joe Maud turned in another impressive stint in the back-row and Alex Nixon caught the eye at full-back.
Malton & Norton’s five-game winning run came to an end as they were edged out 22-20 by Heath at The Gannock.
Malt took an early lead against the run of play when full-back Ian Cooke scored a fine solo try and Teei Piawi converted.
Heath kicked a penalty and, while Malt centre Ryan Lonsdale was in the sin-bin, they added an unconverted try. Piawi hit back with a penalty to give the hosts a 10-8 half-time lead.
In the second half, Malt stretched the lead when Piawi was held up just short and quick ball sent flanker Andy Mitchell over. Piawi converted from the touchline. From a lineout, Heath drove Malton back over the line for a try to close to within two points. From the restart, Heath were penalised for obstruction and Piawi’s penalty extended the lead to five points. The decisive play came with five minutes left, when Heath scored from another catch and drive and the conversion sealed the win. Piawi missed a long-range penalty attempt late in the game. Selby were beaten 19-12 at Keighley, leaving them six points clear of the relegation zone.
In Yorkshire Two, Pocklington went down 16-3 at home to Doncaster Phoenix.
Doncaster opened the scoring with a penalty on two minutes, but Pock levelled through Nick Bennett.
Pock lost skipper John-Paul Kelly, flanker Scott Littlefair and centre Ed Rook to injury and Phoenix took advantage with two tries before half-time.
The only score of the second half was a Doncaster penalty.
Yorkshire Four leaders York RI gained a vital 9-5 victory at Harrogate Pythons.
Thornton kicked two penalties in the opening half hour, but there were few scoring opportunities for either side. A third Thornton penalty made it 9-0, while Harrogate could only manage a late unconverted try.
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