A GOLDEN spell after the half-time whistle which consisted of power, pace and precision produced three converted tries for York and secured them a convincing 41-27 victory over an impressive Driffield side.

York needed to bounce back after last week’s surprise defeat to Doncaster Phoenix and Driffield would not have been everyone’s choice of opponents to achieve this.

Driffield opened the game in robust style getting the better of the early exchanges maintaining possession to test the York defence.

Whilst York couldn’t turn over possession their uncompromising defence constrained the visitors to playing largely in the middle of the field.

Sustained Driffield pressure broke the deadlock after 13 minutes, swiftly moving the ball across the backs giving the wing enough room to edge around the York defence and score in the corner. Conversion missed a 0-5 lead to Driffield was a fair reflection.

A raking kick into the right-hand corner from Shackleton resulted in territory for York and a pulled hamstring for the Driffield full back. Despite establishing territory and possession, mistakes meant that York could not convert this into points.

Having to work increasingly hard in defence, Driffield strayed offside giving Shackleton the opportunity to open the York account with which he made no mistake. York 3, Driffield 5 after a hard fought 20 minutes.

York were firmly on top now and it was only a matter of time and patience before York scored. Ashman came close but couldn't quite evade the Driffield defence, and it was Dan Evans that opened the try scoring for York.

A driving maul from a lineout 10 meters out was well defended initially by Driffield, but the York pack kept their composure to tie in the defence.

Evans rolled off the back of the maul to find the line beckoning. Shackleton converted, York now in the lead 10-5.

Driffield won a penalty try when Croft was deemed to have collapsed the driving maul taking Driffield back into the lead 10-12 and Croft to the sin bin.

The numbers were evened up shortly after as the Driffield second row was shown a yellow card after being adjudged to have made a high tackle.

Shackleton, uncharacteristically on the day, missed the penalty but York responded better to the reduction in numbers and concerted pressure saw them convert a try by Fothergill to end the half with a slight lead; York 17, Driffield 12.

York came out of the blocks at a pace and power that blew Driffield away. Quickly establishing themselves in Driffield’s half, an overthrow at the lineout was cleaned up by York, as good quick hands across the back line found the ball in Hessay’s hands who had come into the line with good pace.

He stepped slightly to straighten his run and cruised over the line brushing off defenders on his way. Conversion kicked again by Shackleton and the York lead stretched to 24 points to 12.

The score board ticking up at pace now, it was less than five minutes again before Shackleton fired a superb flat pass right to left, missing two attacking options and hitting Barrick running a straight line in the outfield.

Barrick stepped slightly to draw the remaining defender before feeding Jackson in a abstract position, who crossed under the posts. York 38, Driffield 12.

Arguably the game won, Driffield were left chasing bonus points which they set about with great determination.

York’s lineout was misfiring now and decisions to run the ball rather than kick for position and some unforced errors enabled Driffield to maintain territory and secure three second half tries that secured them a try bonus point.

As it was, Driffield's kicker couldn’t land the opportunities provided and York secured victory 41-27 with a final penalty converted by Shackleton.