YORK RUFC got back to winning ways in North One East with a 38-22 victory over Cleckheaton - but it was marred by serious injury to Gareth Singleton.

The dual-code threequarter, who had scored two tries, broke an ankle with five minutes of the match to go, and this saw an ambulance called onto the ground and the rest of the encounter take place on an adjoining pitch at Clifton Park.

The hosts duly sealed their win, though, to maintain their 100 per cent home record and stay top of the table above Scarborough on points-difference ahead of Saturday's tough trip to fourth-placed Huddersfield YMCA.

Both teams reported lengthy injury lists. For York, Jon Dawes played at fly-half with George Davies at full-back. Dave Rhodes joined captain Chris Fox in the second row.

Cleckheaton, who began the game with only two wins from seven, retained possession early on and their pressure was rewarded as winger Martin Woodhead found space to score.

In bright but cold and blustery conditions, the conversion was missed.

York replied quickly. They won a scrum penalty and kicked for touch. Rob Hodges came close to scoring after the ball was distributed from the set-play and York got a second chance after an offside call. This time, they kept the ball in close and drove the maul over the line, Shane Goulding touching down. Dawes converted.

Cleckheaton quickly got their second try from a penalty, Matt Piper pushing the ball over from a ruck following the lineout. The conversion was good.

York regained the lead to conclude a busy opening quarter. Cleckheaton cleared the ball but it went straight to Davies in centre-field. He found space and popped a short pass to Singleton on an effective angle to the line. Dawes converted.

It was a tough game - both teams were committed in the forward pack and they needed to be.

York extended their lead, though, with a lovely try. Emerson Bessell passed to Davies on another sensible line and he linked with Campbell Thomson, who in turn fed Singleton in centre-field to get his second try. Dawes again goaled.

Toby Atkin’s passing from scrum-half was crisp and his decision making quick. York's forward pack helped him a lot by securing quick, clean ball.

The handling in the back line was ambitious and accurate as evidenced by two tries. Thomson made several good tackles and, as the first half finished, York led 21-12.

Cleckheaton started the second half well, and scored through Jack Bickerdike, the conversion rebounding out off a post.

With four points in it, 15 minutes passed with both teams making errors and neither side dominating.

Dawes goaled a penalty to make it 24-17 but Cleckheaton again pressed forward and scored again through Jack Seddon, despite York flanker Lewis Hannibal working hard to disrupt a key maul. The conversion was again missed.

York got a vital fifth try with five minutes remaining.

After clean lineout ball was shipped to inside centre Chris Peace, he broke through and, while he Peace was downed just before the line, Shane Goulding was on hand to finish.

After Singleton's injury and the switch to another pitch as he was treated, York scored once more to seal an important win.

Atkin and Davies linked after a scrum and the former got the score. Dawes kicked the conversion to make it a 100 per cent kicking record for him on the day.

York scored once more to seal an important win - Atkin and Davies linked after an attacking scrum and the former got the score, Dawes completing a 100 per cent record with the boot.