York RUFC's hopes of Yorkshire One promotion were dented after they were beaten 5-0 by a very committed Ilkley side.

Although winning their two previous encounters at Denton Road, York were aware that the hosts would not take a backward step.

And Ilkley skipper Mark Luffman provided the cutting edge in every sense. His side had several line-out options whereas York were predictable due to the absence of Grant Williams and Andy Kay to allow the hosts regular clean possession.

York started brightly and pinned Ilkley down in their 22 for 20 minutes, but failed to capitalise on their initial dominance.

Too many poor options were taken, such as a quick tap penalty when a kick into touch would give them the ball back, and both centres were guilty of cutting inside when a draw and pass outside was the favourable, if not scoring, option.

Ilkley defended well, but did lose number Brook to a yellow card for persistent infringements in loose play.

From a loose kick from out-half Ford, Ilkley broke loose and talented centre Stuart Vincent won the foot race to the line.

Referee Johnathan Owen then decided that the first half was only going to be 34 minutes long and blew his whistle for half-time. This led to some confusion, but it did give York another problem, which was an extended second half into a stiff breeze.

York showed determination, with new boy Alexis Time injecting some spark to the back line, although with Stuart Davis in the sin-bin early in the second half it left York depleted in the back row.

Ilkley had an excellent chance to extend their lead through a John Shaylor drop goal, but he narrowly missed and to York's credit they defended bravely with skipper Jon Sharpe and prop Corey Wallace usually at the bottom of every scrum and ruck-scrapping with Luffman and Cooksey.

Referee Owen penalised Ilkley regularly for being overly aggressive and York also lost quick man Billy Cakaunitabua with a recurrence of his thumb injury, which is a big blow.

This will not go down as one of York's best displays, but the Clifton Park crew remain in second place, one point behind Pontefract who visit York in February.

The league has a break next week, and in that time York will have Kay and Williams back in the squad. It will also provide training time to get the backs playing as an attacking unit.