YORK RUFC ended a run of five straight North Premier matches without a win by defeating 30-22 Macclesfield at Clifton Park, writes Simon Pickles.

The bonus-point victory sees ninth-placed York trail Alnwick, who occupy fifth, by just six points in their debut season in the fifth tier.

Despite having not registered a win since late November, York were handily placed clear of the relegation zone and able to hand out some club debuts.

Louis Recchia made his first XV bow at hooker while back-row Will Kinnersley and centre Tom Woffendin were also in the matchday squad. All three players are products of the York youth section.

York enjoyed some early possession to open the game and worked the ball safely and conservatively through their forward pack.

That platform allowed open-side flanker Joe Simpson to made the first line-break of the game and put York 30 metres out with a penalty opportunity.

Liam Hessay curled a kick through the posts for the first points of the match.

After a penalty was awarded to Macclesfield, outside-centre Harry Oliver put a left-footed kick into the corner.

The Blues had several attempts at the line but were held up, although the referee returned to the original penalty decision. Harry Oliver kicked Macclesfield level.

Reflective of the reverse fixture in October, which Macclesfield edged 22-21, territory and opportunity swung again.

After winning an attacking line-out five metres out, York won a penalty in open-field and Hessay kicked the hosts back in front.

York increased the lead by crossing for the first try of the game. In open space, Hessay drew his defender before offloading to winger Sam Taylor on his outside.

There was just enough space for Taylor to beat his marker and avoid the cover to touch down under the posts. Assister Hessay added the conversion.

Macclesfield replied immediately however. Although running room for the back-line had been rare in the game thus far, winger Alex Davies ran to the corner and earned five points for the visitors.

Just before half-time and on the back of a penalty, York had another attacking line-out.

Archie Fothergill released the ball to the hands of scrum half Toby Atkin who found a gap in the defence and dashed over the line.

The conversion fell short and the home side led 18-8 at the break.

York picked up from where they left off during the second half. Taylor received a Macclesfield clearance kick on the full and broke the initial tackle before maintaining his speed to score a superb solo try under the posts.

Hessay was left with the easy task of converting in front of the sticks.

Despite trailing 25-8, Macclesfield did not give up easily. They had an attacking scrummage, but it was repelled.

They got another opportunity and Oliver ran strongly before the ball was moved to winger Davies who squeezed in at the corner. Oliver kicked a well-judged conversion.

York's lead was then cut to just three points with 20 minutes remaining.

Travelling winger Phil Laing came off the touchline and received the ball from an attacking line-out before charging under the posts.

The home side soon regained the momentum however and York's backline created the decisive score.

The ball was distributed wide to the hands of winger Sam Elliott who was able to offload in the tackle to the supporting Tom Woffendin on his inside.

Woffendin went over, with the conversion going off target, to secure the points for York.

This weekend York are back on the road as they travel to Wirral, with a victory over the Merseyside outfit seeing them leapfrog the seventh-placed club.

Meanwhile, in the North One East, Pocklington were comfortably beaten 37-7 away to Scarborough.

Selby fell to a fifth successive Yorkshire One defeat after losing 15-9 to second-placed Old Crossleyans.

York RI secured back-to-back Yorkshire Four North/West wins after seeing off Halifax 21-17.

In the same division, Nestle Rowntree qualified for the play-offs, which will see them travel to Mosborough, despite losing 17-17 at home to leaders Thirsk.

The unbeaten table-toppers, who have won all 14 of their league matches, ran in an unconverted try to lead at half time.

Trees responded when a chip over the top allowed Josh Prenty to touch down, with Ollie Neill converting.

Thirsk responded with another unconverted try and a late penalty to maintain their 100 per cent record.