York RUFC in 57-17 win over Heath (From York Press)

York RUFC in 57-17 win over Heath

10:06am Monday 22nd October 2012 in Rugby Union

YORK RUFC put their indifferent start to the Yorkshire One campaign behind them with a convincing 57-17 home victory over Heath.

The Clifton Park hosts went into the game having played seven, won two and lost five, but they scored nine tries to three to win an entertaining encounter.

York started well and, with Heath unable to get out of their own 22-metre area. The try fest began after seven minutes with a well executed catch and drive from a lineout which was finished by Steve Kerr and converted by Ben Johnson.

Some midfield handling errors and a couple of penalties at the breakdown let Heath off the hook and they scored an unconverted try on 18 minutes.

Within five minutes, York responded, showing ambition by running the ball from deep inside their own 22 and the outstanding Eddie Bradshaw found space on the outside for a try converted by Johnson.

York came to life as the confidence, aggression and accuracy that had been missing in recent performances returned in abundance.

An excellent piece of defensive work by Gareth Singleton on 34 minutes saw him halt a rare excursion by Heath. He turned the ball over and the counter attack ended with Alex Nixon scoring.

Heath were thrown a lifeline with a try before the break as they trailed 19-10.

The visitors kept York at bay for the opening 20 minutes of the second half, but Kerr got his second try of the game from a catch and drive at an attacking lineout deep in Heath’s 22.

Heath were hit by a yellow card for persistent infringements on 65 minutes and that sealed their fate as York ran in further tries through Billy Cakaunitabua, Andy Kay, Rich Roberts and Bradshaw before Heath scored a consolation try on 80 minutes.

Johnson rounded off his best performance to date in the fly-half role with a try in injury time.

Selby managed to hang on to top spot in Yorkshire Two despite suffering their first defeat of the campaign as they were edged out 17-16 at West Leeds.

The Swans, bidding to make it eight wins from eight outings, were not helped by the concession of 22 penalties in West Yorkshire.

Josh Cruise kicked a penalty in the first minute for the visitors, but failed to convert a further three penalties and two conversions in the first half.

West Leeds equalised with a Tom Burnell penalty in the 19th minute, but the Swans were soon back in front after a superb try from full-back Dan Porter.

The hosts levelled after 32 minutes with a well-worked try, winger Danny Booth going over in the corner. Selby regained the lead when winger Ben Lunt finished an excellent move for a 13-8 half-time lead.

The stream of penalties against Selby allowed fly-half Burnell to kick three penalties in the second period, while Cruise kicked one for the visitors.

Meanwhile, York RI went down 32-3 at home to Old Modernians in Yorkshire Three.

RI got off to the worst possible start when the visitors scored after two minutes.

A penalty by Rossa Keating made it 5-3 but Mods led 15-3 at half-time and added three more tries after the break.

Dan Coates was RI’s man of the match.