YORK RUFC deservedly beat Yorkshire One title chasers Pontefract 32-15 in a club match at Clifton Park.

The home side should have buried their opponents by a larger margin but after racking up 27 points in the opening quarter seemed to lose motivation. A multitude of second-half substitutions also caused them to lose shape.

It was a pity as it was an opportunity to put down a marker as the two clubs may have to play-off next April for promotion to North East two.

Neither side were at full strength but Pontefract were particularly injury-hit in the forwards and it showed as York No 8 Ian Davies and scrum-half Graham Smith knocked them back into their 22 where full-back Tom Copeland opened York's account with a penalty.

Pontefract tried a handling move but spilled the ball directly to York centre Sean Bass who sped in under the posts from 40 yards for Copeland to convert.

Smith, who was at the heart of most of York's moves, stole away to set up a passing move that saw hooker Rob Allen sweep a smart pass off the ground for Craig Ventress to score in the corner.

From the restart, Smith shot down the blindside to transfer to supporting flanker Andy Kay who put Colts winger Mark McDaid down the right at pace for a finely conceived try.

Smith was soon back sniping through to set up a smart handing move for left winger Rob Kama to break clear. Copeland converted and, at 27-0, Pontefract were for the taking.

The visitors' outsides had a different plan and completed the half by sending their pacy left winger in for two unconverted tries.

The second half was disjointed but Pontefract were posing problems as York began to concede possession. However, Davies scored for York when he crashed over from a five-metre scrum.

Pontefract had the last call when the disorganised York backs permitted the visitors' left winger the space to complete his hat-trick and allow his side to feel that, at full strength, they could match York.

Updated: 11:44 Monday, November 29, 2004