UP FOR IT: York's Dave Spanton leaps high in the line-out to win the ball in an aeriel duel during their victory against Keighley at Clifton Park on Saturday.

York Rugby Union Club first team duly beat table-proppers Keighley 20-12 but remain in the relegation zone of North East Division One.

York have a great opportunity to climb up the rankings as only four points separate them from second place but they have three away matches in their next four fixtures and they have yet to win away in the league this season.

They began the match against Keighley by running the ball out to the wings and only careless finishing held them back.

Half backs Nigel Durham and Craig Ventress released the ball quickly, the latter showing fine handling skills.

Julian Ramsey and Ed Bennison constantly probed a fairly resilient Keighley defence.

Wings Jason Wood and Sean Bass were always alert for opportunities but it wasn't until after 15 minutes and a missed Bullough penalty attempt that York scored.

Durham sent full back Simon Bullough on a run down the wing. York earned a scrum 35 yards out and a superbly weighted high kick from Durham to the right corner saw Bass latch on to a wicked bounce and squeeze past the cover defence for a try which Bullough couldn't convert.

With Dave Spanton dominant in the line-out and the back row showing power and pace, a large score appeared in prospect to correct the side's negative points differential.

Ventress put Bass away down the right wing and Bullough missed two penalties but York too often took the kicking option.

This conceded possession to Keighley and their outstanding South African flanker, Tyrone Adam, inspired several good moves.

Almost on the stroke of half time York extended their lead to 10-0. Ventress sent Bullough through on an inside break which Ramsey continued. Durham switched play to the left and a splendid long Ventress pass sent Wood racing away to kick past the full back and score a fine try which again went unconverted.

York started the second half well, Bullough searing through almost to the line but the back row fought each other to take his final pass and spilled the opportunity.

Ramsey was soon back on the attack and, when York were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, lock Matt Halifax showeinitiative by taking it himself and bursting over for a try which Bullough converted.

A few minutes later he kicked a penalty to give York a 20-0 lead.

But York began to fade either through complacency or tiredness despite fresh legs in the form of Steve Humphries and Nick Smart as substitutes for Ian Davies and Matt Halifax.

With more possession, Keighley scrum half Lawrence Marlen began to make an impact. His kick deep in the York half created a platform for flanker Adam to rampage 15 yards through the York defence to score a try which Gary Davey converted.

Adi Martin came on for Andy Smith but Keighley drove back to the York line and only a fumbled pass enabled York to scramble a clearance.

Having hardly let Keighley out of their own territory in the first half, York were now penned around their own 22 an Rich Emmott forced his way over for an unconverted try.

York showed that they can play the football to avoid relegation but they will have to address the fitness issues brought about by lack of match practice and a minimal training regime since their last game five weeks ago.

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