York's visit to old foes Bridlington ended in a 26-5 defeat on a blustery, wet afternoon.

As West Park Old Boys from Leeds won their first match by defeating Beverley 9-3, York are now the only team pointless and out on their own at the foot of the Division North Two East table.

This sets the scene for a crucial encounter when the Old Boys visit Clifton Park a week next Saturday.

York had first use of a fair breeze but, immediately, the Bridlington forwards impressed with their inter-passing, controlled drives and smooth recycling.

This put York under great pressure on their own line and the inevitable off-side penalty resulted.

Fly-half John Fisher duly obliged with the kick.

It was not long before Bridlington re-established control, aided by another York penalty offence which enabled Fisher to boot his side up to the York 22.

York conceded a scrum after the line-out and Bridlington No.8 Rodney Hoskins ran in 20 yards almost unopposed for an unconverted try.

Double disaster for York followed within five minutes as full-back Tom Copeland left the field with a recurrence of a thigh strain.

Nathan Savage went to full-back from No.8 to be replaced by Ian Davies. As York re-grouped from a scrum in their 22, the home scrum-half John Lee put his left winger Carl Thompson in for an unconverted try to give the Seasiders a 13-0 lead after just 13 minutes.

York showed good spirit and fought back, helped by a good relieving kick from winger Tom Heppleston. However, the powerful Bridlington forwards were not to be denied and Hoskins broke clear, supported by fellow back-rowers Rob Porter and Paul Lockwood. York's defence saved the day but at the expense of another off-side penalty which Fisher converted.

York's hopes rose considerably when Ian Davies made a devastating tackle to win possession from which Matt Halifax burst through and fed skipper Punchy Clutton who was held only yards short. Scrum-half James Arkle threw out a long pass to centre Stewart Davies who found space to force himself over for a good try which Savage could not convert.

Just before half-time, Bridlington extended their lead to 21-5 when their heavy pack registered a pushover try.

Bridlington opened the second half with a huge kick into the York half as if to indicate that York had not used the wind to their advantage.

Fly-half Fisher was twice almost over the York line but it took them 15 minutes to breach York's defences when the visitors dropped a ball on their 22 and the hosts swept the ball out to winger Kevin Brown who scored an unconverted try.

Bridlington continued to dominate to such an extent that York only entered opposition territory in the last five minutes when Savage made an interception and raced clear.

Otherwise, Bridlington had total territorial domination. The whole York team defended with courage and determination and this is the one feature that could save their cause if they can find a way to score tries.