YORK RI RUFC prepared for their derby clash with Nestle Rowntree on Saturday with an important victory over winless Sheffield Oaks.

The Railwaymen went into the game with only one victory to their name in Yorkshire Four (South East) but climbed towards mid-table with a 31-12 success.

Rowntree, meanwhile, lost 29-0 at high-riding Hessle to be stuck on one win for the campaign so far.

Trees had travelled hoping to spoil the party for a Hessle club who were having an ex-captain's day, but the home team ended the contest full of smiles.

The high wind was in Rowntree's faces in the first half and, while they appeared to be easily containing their hosts, a wayward pass after 10 minutes saw the home team win the ruck and then pass the ball about to score.

Trees continued to battle and they did not allow Hessle much space but they couldn't get themselves playing as a team and, as the clock ticked towards half-time, a kick downfield wasn't cleared by the visitors and they fell 14-0 behind at the break.

There was again a lot of effort by Nestle in the second half but they had nothing to show for it.

Instead, with the wind now behind them, their kicking game went to pieces, with punts going straight into touch on four occasions - all punished by Hessle who scored three more unconverted tries.

Two more injuries for Trees didn't help the cause on a day to forget.

Meanwhile, Selby lifted themselves into mid-table of Yorkshire One with a vital 20-14 victory at lowly Keighley.

That was a third win in six outings for the Sandhill Laners, who face a tougher assignment this coming Saturday at home to second-placed Middlesbrough.