YORK RUFC 'A' returned to action in spectacular style beating Sheffield Tigers 'A' 44-12 in their first match for over four weeks.

On a sticky postage stamp-sized pitch, York didn't allow their hosts much room to manoeuvre with Matt Halifax and Joe Nasson in commanding form.

Tries were scored by York at regular intervals with Tom Copeland feeding in to the backs to score twice to add to his two conversions.

Leon Shouksmith crashed over twice from close range and Halifax also claimed two tries.

Mike Westwood also scored a couple of touchdowns, the second being the best of the match, following a move which swept the total length of the field.

Nestl Rowntree produced some of their best attacking rugby of the season to defeat a lively York RI third team by 42-26 at Mille Crux.

Strong driving forward play paved the way for Rowntrees and brought a hat-trick of tries for flanker Geoff Howard against his former club. The backs also capitalised on good possession with tries for centres John Atkin and Harry Seagrave and fly half Ivor Jackson, who added three conversions and two penalties.

RI's speedy backs were always dangerous and a 'never say die' attitude saw them reduce a 30-point deficit with two late consolation tries. Their scorers were centre Carl Rushworth (2), winger Glen Fyvie and lock Grant Cockburn. Fly half Craig Hutchinson converted three.

York Under-15s enjoyed double success over Selby and a combined Driffield/ Beverley side at Beverley.

Playing second, York took advantage of the tiring opposition to win both matches.

Selby were beaten 22-0 with an opportunist try by Alex Rogers, who poached the ball against the throw to open the scoring. Other touchdowns followed from skipper Matthew Turp, Andrew Barker and Joel Lancaster. Jonathan Henley added a conversion.

York beat Driffield and Beverley 20-7 with Rogers supporting a 50-metre charge down the touchline by Turp to open the scoring. Stephen Greenwood then finished off a decisive break by Darryl Fogg.

Turp added another try and York finished on a high as Rogers completed his hat-trick in the dying moments.

York RI U14s lost 40-7 at Selby after falling 10-0 behind after only ten minutes.

As RI settled Johnny Jackson sped in for a solo try under the posts with Paul Fernandez adding the conversion.

RI's forwards, with Will Starkey and Arron Cunningham to the fore, began to dominate but Selby struck twice more before half-time to make it 22-7.

Selby took advantage of weak RI tackling in the second half to run in more tries.

York minis U7s team maintained their unbeaten record after fending off Darlington 55-5, Pocklington 40-20 and Driffield 25-20 to win the Driffield Festival.

Top try scorer was Daniel Tai but the pick of the tries was Barnaby Jennings' 40-yard solo effort, his first try in competition.

York will have to find another gear for the York Festival on April 6 with seven visiting teams trying to spoil their unblemished record.

Updated: 09:57 Wednesday, March 19, 2003