A SENSATIONAL hat-trick of tries from full-back Alex Nixon saw York RUFC storm into third place in Yorkshire One.

Nixon crossed three times in the opening ten minutes to leave Skipton shell-shocked and send the Clifton Parkers on their way to a 33-3 home victory.

The win moved in-form York above Castleford into third place with only next weekend’s home derby with Malton and Norton to come.

Nixon’s first two tries stemmed from sweeping moved by the hosts and fly-half Paul Williams added the extras on both occasions.

The hat-trick score was a brilliant solo effort which saw Nixon leave four red-faced Skipton defenders in his wake on a 60-metre dart to the line.

The visitors pulled a penalty back before the interval, but the game was already in the bag for York.

Captain Jon Sharpe crossed on the hour and scrum-half Ben Johnson rounded off the try scoring with a touch down, with Williams converting both.

Sharpe and Johnson shone for York, along with centre Mike Cawthorn and consistent prop Rob Allen.

Malton and Norton will be no pushovers for York next weekend, as they proved with a 34-25 victory at Bradford Salem.

The Ryedale side were leg weary after reaching the final of the Pock Sevens the previous day, but they dug deep to take the points.

Salem kicked a fourth-minute penalty, but Malton responded with a try by centre Ryan Lonsdale. Teei Piawi converted. In a see-saw encounter, Salem scored two tries either side of a touch down for Malton full-back Ian Cooke, which was converted by Piawi.

A try by flanker Jamie Rounthwaite ensured Malton went into the break in front, and Piawi kicked a penalty to make it 22-15.

After the interval, Salem closed the gap to two points, but again Malton responded with Lonsdale bursting through to touch down beneath the posts and give Piawi a simple conversion. Salem reduced the arrears with a try, but Malton had the last word with a try by winger Marcel Anthony.