York RI got back on the winning path with a comfortable 27-6 victory over Stocksbridge at New Lane on Saturday.

With prop O'Hara unavailable, Andy McCarthy came in for his first game of the season, while James Li reverted to hooker in place of Joff Sowray.

Stocksbridge won the toss and elected to play with the wind in the first half, relying on stand-off Wilkinson to kick for position and trying to mount attacks from RI's 22.

However, RI defended well. Matthew Yates's boot kept relieving the pressure and the back row of Hardman, Mallon and Thomas drove Stocksbridge back.

RI took the lead on

the half hour with a Yates penalty but were 6-3 down at half-time as Dan Lowe kicked two penalties for the visitors.

RI half-backs Tim Nash and Matthew Yates controlled the second half, Nash giving Yates quick ball which was used to drive the visitors back.

RI took the lead when, from a Yates kick, the visitors conceded a line-out and from the throw Hardman crashed over. Ben Hobson converted to

give RI a 7-6 lead.

This was increased on the hour mark, Tim Thomas scoring the first of his two tries and Hobson converting.

Although Stocksbridge showed spirited resistance it was all RI. Hobson added two penalties before converting Thomas's second try.

Updated: 11:41 Monday, October 03, 2005