9:52am Monday 12th April 2010
THE official opening of the new clubhouse at Clifton Park was celebrated in fine style as York RUFC snatched a last-gasp derby win over Malton and Norton.
The hosts hit back from 22-11 down with five minutes remaining to win 25-22 with the last play of the game and clinch third spot in Yorkshire One.
The rivals went into the game as the two form sides in the division, with Malton boasting a record of eight wins in nine games and York having lost only once since the turn of the year.
They served up a feast of rugby for a crowd of more than 300, with York skipper Jon Sharpe setting the tone by picking up from the base of a scrum and powering over.
Teei Piawi put Malton on the board with a penalty after York were penalised, while home fly-half Paul Williams also struck a three-pointer when Malt strayed offside.
On the half hour, Malton levelled the scores when Ian Cooke, filling in for Chris Creber at fly-half, fed Ryan Lonsdale and he went over.
York opened the second half with a Williams penalty when the visitors were caught offside.
However, a York player was then sent to the sin-bin and Malton scrum-half Tom Collard crossed under the posts for Piawi to convert.
On 70 minutes, York failed to deal with a kick and hooker Carl Muscroft crashed over.
Piawi’s kick made it 22-11.
In-form full-back Alex Nixon profited from a couple of missed Malton tackles as he crossed for a 75th minute try, which Williams converted. In injury time York winger Billy Cakaunitabua made a break and fed Nixon, who sprinted over. Williams converted.
James Arkle, Sam Potrykus and Sam Arkle shone for York, while Malton were well served by front-rower Paul Dobson and Cooke.
Selby celebrated the opening of their new stand at Sandhill Lane with an emphatic 55-7 victory over Heath.
In Yorkshire Two, Pocklington were hit by two late scores as they went down 24-17 at Hullensians.
Pocklington opened up with a Nick Bennett penalty after two minutes. Ten minutes later, number eight Marcus Britland went in under the posts and Bennett converted.
Hullensians closed the gap with a penalty and a try, while Pock flanker Chris Morton crossed and Bennett again converted.
Slack defence gifted Hullensians a try and it was 17-13 at the interval.
The home side closed to within a point with another penalty, but two Pock yellow cards proved decisive.
Hullensians kicked a drop goal to lead for the first time and they then got a converted try.
York RI were handed a walkover win against Leeds Medics and Dentists in Yorkshire Four.
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