YORK RI RUFC finished off 2018 in fine style with a 41-7 victory over injury-hit cross-city rivals Nestle Rowntree at a freezing New Lane.

The six-try show gleaned RI's seventh win in their last eight games and lifted them to second in Yorkshire Four (South East).

They return to action on January 5 at Stockbridge, when Rowntrees, who now sit second bottom, will look to bounce back at home to winless Sheffield Oaks.

RI had the wind behind them in the first half and, while Trees started well, early pressure at the other end resulted in a penalty by Baptiste Briu. The kicker ended with four conversions too.

RI used the wind to gain field position and, despite some good counter-attacking from the Rowntrees full-back, further pressure told when home scrum-half Jonny Clark found space around the fringes of a ruck to dive over.

Even with the occasional foray from Rowntrees, RI kept asking questions of a determined visiting defence, and a good midfield break led to a try for the supporting Jonny Evans, who beat a couple of defenders to finish well from 30 metres.

Then centre Rich Tafa - RI's new Tongan recruit - made a line break in midfield to go over under the posts.

Trees were still showing quality in attack and caused some problems for an RI defence which had not leaked a try for a few games.

They eventually worked their way into the home 22 and, after good work in the forwards, space opened up out wide. Good scramble defence provided cover but the resulting tackle was high and the referee awarded a penalty try and a yellow card, leaving the half-time score at 24-7.

The reverse fixture had seen a similar interval scoreline, with Trees coming back well in the second period.

They raised their game on the resumption here too, also using the wind to go forward, but good counter attacking from RI full-back Joe Field kept the game largely in centre-field.

After a period with defences holding firm, RI got the decisive score - and bonus-point try - through Tim Lewis, making it 31-7.

This score energised RI and, despite some tough conditions as the rain began to fall, the hosts played some terrific running rugby.

There were some good last-ditch tackles by Nestle's stretched defence, but, with the visitors having used up their subs due to injuries and now tiring, two more tries followed in the final quarter.

Second-row Ben Hartop took the ball from a line and powered through, and, after more attractive rugby, Field crossed on a good support line.