The visit of Yorkshire One league second-placed Old Crossleyans provided an entertaining game at Clifton Park even though the hosts finally lost out 25-13.

Halifax-based Crossleyans have been in the second spot for most of the season with a couple of fast outsides and a well drilled pack, all orchestrated by the experience of Tony Waite at fly-half. It was a case of a side with promotion hopes looming playing a team with only pride to play for and the relevant commitment and fitness began to show as the game progressed.

York were disrupted before the start when fly-half Carl Paterson was side-lined by a technical dispute between the RFU and the Italian Union following his early return from Rome. As a result, Mike Ford replaced him and Phil Little-Hailes dropped to full-back with winger Andy Bond pulled in from the thirds to enjoy an impressive display.

None of this showed as York were the first to impress with prop Cory Wallace enjoying a couple of boisterous charges and Bond making progress down the right. All this earned a penalty chance but Ford was wide.

Crox's first visit to the York 22 after12 minutes earned them a score when their pack mauled over for Manny Riaz to claim the score and centre Lee Martindale added the extras.

Shortly after, Ford narrowed the gap with an offside penalty and then, entering the second period, Ian Davies, the York number eight, made a mountainous run with defenders falling off him at all angles as he penetrated the Crox 22, where scrum half Graham Smith sniped over for a try which Ford could not convert.

The visitors returned the pressure and, five minutes from the break, Waite 'robbed' York wing Rob Kama of the ball and fed Martindale, who ran in from 20 metres out but could not convert.

However, York had the last word before the oranges when Arkle made a powerful run down the middle for Wallace to send Bond racing in at the corner. There was no conversion, but York led 13-12.

Crox came out to use their forward power and the pressure told when a back row move ten metres out put winger Dan Bancroft over for an early unconverted try.

York were under pressure and didn't find favour with referee Crawshaw and Waite took advantage of a penalty opportunity.

York were only a score apart with six minutes left when they tried a speculative quick 22 drop and conceded possession which led to visiting winger Jon Wainwright touching down.

York skipper Andy Kay led a break out for victory and Kama might have scored with a better final transfer but, despite York's valiant efforts, Crox had proved the better side.

Updated: 10:21 Monday, March 20, 2006