YORK RUFC guaranteed North One East safety with a 51-20 win over West Leeds - their first home win since October.

The bonus-point victory over the strugglers at Clifton Park moved York 16 points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining.

Having welcomed back several long-term absentees - including influential second-rower Chris Fox, who played the full 80 minutes only 10 weeks after donating a kidney to his sister - and with more expected to return in the coming weeks, York will be looking for a strong finish to the season.

And this win over second-bottom West Leeds could prove an important morale-boost as they avenged the 35-29 defeat in the reverse fixture and put an end to a winless six-game home run which brought five defeats and one draw.

It was a welcome return to form for York. Joe Maud and Shane Goulding were excellent in attack, backed up by 21 points from the boot of Liam Hessay.

From the kick off, West Leeds secured possession and had York under pressure with good ball retention and direct running at the York defence. Eventually the pressure told and West Leeds scored under the posts for a 7-0 lead.

Shortly after, West Leeds were awarded the opportunity to increase their lead following a York infraction but the penalty was missed.

Quarter of an hour into the game, York finally gained possession and were able to attack the West Leeds defence, led by some powerful running from Maud - and it was no surprise when he broke through the defence and touched down. Hessay added the conversion.

Straight from the kick off, Fox won the ball and good passing from the York backs put Goulding over in the corner, with Hessay again adding the conversion.

York were now in control, dominating the ball and playing some good attacking rugby. Further tries from Toby Atkin and Maud, both converted by Hessay, sent York in at half-time with a 28-10 lead and the try bonus point secured.

York started the second half well until West Leeds scored an interception try and took control of the ball for a 10-minute period. Strong running from their back row was rewarded with another try bringing the score back to 28-20 after 52 mins.

York regrouped and went back to basics - retaining the ball and going through phases, working their way up the pitch. The pressure on the West Leeds defence was beginning to show and two successive penalties put over by Hessay took York into a 34-20 lead.

With 20 minutes remaining, York were playing their best rugby for several weeks, with forwards and backs combining to create numerous scoring opportunities. York soon added two further tries from Lewis Hannibal and Goulding with Hessay adding both conversions.

York continued to attack and the final score was another penalty from Hessay taking the final score to 51-20.

On Saturday, York host another side in the bottom three, Bridlington, looking to build on this win.

Brid have won only two games since the New Year, with their most recent outing ending in a 16-14 defeat to York's mid-table rivals Malton & Norton.

Brid currently occupy the final relegation spot, four points from safety.