YORK RUFC returned to league action for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic with a 33-10 defeat at Otley, writes Jack Sinclair.

York were beginning life in the North Premier after winning promotion last year, which ensured they would play in the fifth tier for the first time.

York were well in the game through the early stages as both sides exchanged penalty goals.

From the latter, scored by York's Declan Cusack, Callum Irvine was sin-binned but the visitors struggled to capitalised of their numerical advantage.

Otley capitalised on a scrambled touch kick and, after the hosts were held up, they crossed out wide through winger Marcus Law for an unconverted try.

Just before half time, York's Joe Maud was yellow carded and Ben Waddington went over in another five-point score.

After the break, Otley continued to press on with an extra man, with Brett Mitchell scoring the third try that Irvine again could not convert.

Despite that body blow, York never gave in. A slick blind side move between Toby Atkin and Liam Hessay put them within a yard of the line, though they could not take advantage of that chance.

But they did strike through wing Sam Elliot, who latched onto a loose Otley pass before making the 70-yard dash under the posts. That handed Cusack with an easy two points.

The away side were beginning to visibly tire by this point and Marcus Law completed his brace before Irvine kicked the conversion and then a penalty goal.

Irvine was again successful from the tee when converting his own try, as the fly-half weaved his way to the line.

Despite Otley again being reduced to 14 players late on, York were unable to take advantage.

Meanwhile, in the North One East, Malton & Norton were beaten in an entertaining 43-36 defeat at Moortown.

Moortown made a rapid start to the game and found themselves 19-0 in front with less than a quarter of the match played.

But Malton rallied as Rob Featherstone barged over and Shane Poole scored his first of four conversions from five attempts.

And, after a 20-minute break due to a serious injury suffered by a Moortown player, Malton were over again through Adam Finlinson.

The hosts did increase their advantage to with two tries either side of half-time however, against the run of play, Ali Fothergill crossed twice in quick succession for Malton.

Some poor defending by the visitors allowed Moortown to add a further decisive 12 points.

Malton did though claim a second bonus point as Tom Lowry crossed for a try and Poole kicked a penalty at the death.

Elsewhere in the division, Pocklington suffered an agonising 16-15 loss at Heath.

The hosts were up 6-5 at the break, with Joe Aconley scoring the only try of the half for Pock.

After exchanging penalties, Euan Walker's finish and Christian Pollock's conversion put the visitors ahead.

But Heath scored a converted try late on, with the referee decisively ruling a retake on the missed first kick, with Pocklington adjudged to have charged forward.

In Yorkshire One, Selby RUFC won 23-8 at home to Pontefract while in Yorkshire Four North West, Nestle Rowntree won 33-23 at Leeds Modernians.

York RI's trip to Leeds Medics and Dentists was postponed.