IN-FORM York RI RUFC warmed up for a derby clash against Nestle Rowntree with a 41-0 victory over Sheffield Oaks in Yorkshire Four (South East).

The New Lane triumph over basement side Oaks leaves RI in third place, just two points adrift of second-placed Mosborough.

The game started brightly for the hosts as they established early field position and, despite creating a couple of chances, errors and some good scrambling defence prevented an early score.

While RI largely controlled field position, Oaks stuck to their task well and some good work from their forward pack and midfield defence held RI at bay.

The turning point came towards the end of the half when an Oaks clearance failed to find touch and full-back Joe Field managed to make good yards before off-loading to Franck Rossi to go over for a 5-0 lead.

Almost immediately from the restart RI were over again, with Rossi going over for his second, which was converted by new scrum-half Jonny Clark for a 12-0 half-time lead.

The second half was largely one-way traffic with RI dominating the majority of territory and possession, which led to a further five tries.

Scrum-half Clark fought his way over for a debut try, which he converted himself, followed by a first try for the club for second row Rich Hirst, who galloped over from 40 metres.

Clark again converted to take the score to 26-0 and secure the bonus point.

Captain Frazer Land was the next to go over following some excellent build up play and a lovely wide ball from fly-half Brendan Aherne.

With Oaks tiring and having been reduced to 14, and then 13 men through injury, there were further scores for wingers Chris Piercy and Lee O’Brien.

Rowntrees visit New Lane on Saturday for the final game before the Christmas break, aiming to bounce back from a 36-19 defeat at home to Hessle at the weekend.

The home side trailed only 22-19 with 20 minutes remaining, but fourth-placed Hessle pulled clear with two late tries.

Four late call-offs did not help the Rowntree cause and, although they started strongly, Hessle scored a converted try after 12 minutes.

Trees responded with a penalty on 22 minutes from Dave Harder but from the restart Trees lost the ball and Hessle scored another converted try.

After good play from the forwards, scrum-half Romain Cames darted over for Harder to convert.

However, again from the restart, Hessle converted a penalty to lead 17-10 at the break.

From the restart, Trees gained some momentum and Harder converted another penalty.

However, they then gifted possession to Hessle who scored a try.

Trees again charged forward and, with Hessle under pressure, the hosts scored two quick penalties to move within three points on the hour, but that was as close as they got.