TRIES from Sam Elliott and Toby Atkin could not save an injury-ravaged York team from going down 57-14 at North One East leaders Morpeth.

The depleted Clifton Park outfit travelled north-east expecting a tough contest and that’s exactly what they got.

Having lost two more players to season-ending injuries, two concussions were also added to the casualty list, meaning the coaching team again had to rely on youth.

After the visitors kicked off, Morpeth immediately went on the attack and excellent ball retention by the pack would see the relentless early pressure tell as, at the quarter-hour mark, York had conceded 17 points without touching the ball.

The away side did finally gain possession and started to attack Morpeth with some good handling, but the young team were making little impression against physically bigger and more experienced adversaries.

It wasn’t long before Morpeth had increased their lead to 29-0, while York’s cause wasn’t helped by the loss of Joe Maud to injury on 30 minutes.

To their credit, York kept going and, following good handling by the backs, Elliott scored in the corner with Liam Hessay adding the touch-line conversion.

The second half followed a similar pattern, however, as Morpeth quickly established a commanding 50-7 lead before Atkin scored York’s second try with Hessay adding the conversion.

Morpeth went on to claim one more score to ensure the final winning margin was impressively emphatic and befitting of a strong, well-drilled outfit who would make worthy league champions.

York now have a week off before the final four games of the season, with three against teams sitting below them in the league.

With a number of players due back from injury, it is hoped that the Clifton Park club can regroup and enjoy a positive end to the campaign.