ALL 26 games in the North One East season are tough and Bradford & Bingley’s visit to Clifton Park turned out to be no different - York RUFC eventually winning 34-20 to stay top of the table above Bridlington on points-difference.

The West Yorkshire side have only won once in the league so far this season but have advanced in the cup, scoring heavily to beat West Leeds on the previous Saturday.

York had a bye in the cup - they hosting Cleckheaton in the second round on October 27 - but were looking to build on an excellent start to the league season, which stalled with defeat at Malton & Norton last time out.

Jon Dawes returned to the York starting 15 at full-back with George Davies continuing at outside centre. Sam Potrykus joined Davies in midfield. Russ Bowers played at hooker with captain Chris Fox and Dave Rhodes in the second row.

It was a blustery day with the wind blowing across the field, favouring neither side but making goal kicking difficult.

York scored early. After a set scrum, they passed accurately through the back line with each player receiving the ball at pace.

Jon Dawes committed his man then released Gareth Singleton to score. Dawes kicked a lovely conversion.

Rob Hodges danced down the opposite wing to create York’s second try. He released number eight Shane Goulding, who had worked hard to support him and then evaded pressure to finish from 30 metres out.

With B&B on the back foot, York flanker Campbell Thomson showed hustle and forced an error.

On the resulting turnover ball, Davies ran a great line at pace and didn’t need to make the final pass to Singleton, instead scoring himself. Dawes kicked his third conversion of the day.

When the visitors were again stretched in defence, Toby Atkin could have distributed the ball to several receivers. Instead, he exploited the uncertainty and accelerated through a narrow gap at the side of a ruck to score York’s bonus point try.

Bradford & Bingley replied just before half-time. Tom Bacon found space and scored after a few phases of attacking possession. The conversion was missed and it was 26-5 at the interval.

Atkin picked up a yellow card at the start of the second half after Tom Bacon, the Bees’ try scorer, seemed to hold on to his legs to prevent him from getting to the breakdown.

Nick Speck, the cross-code York Acorn playmaker, played at scrum-half for the remainder of the game.

Bradford & Bingley, who scored five tries in the second half of their game last Saturday, gave themselves hope when full-back Lance Taylor scored in the corner.

But try was unconverted and York retained their composure.

Dawes kicked a penalty before Davies received the ball, again at pace, and was able to burst over the line from close range.

Bradford & Bingley scored two tries in the final five minutes to earn a bonus point.

The tries came from line breaks, with wing Cameron Bainbridge scoring the first and Lance Taylor the second. The conversions were missed in the difficult conditions.

York travel to Scarborough next Saturday, while Bradford & Bingley are at home to Pocklington.