York RUFC kept their survival hopes alive with a 12-12 draw against high-flying Cumbrian side Aspatria at Clifton Park.

York started the crucial North 2 East fixture well and, playing against a forceful wind, they kept Aspatria pinned in their 22 through good rucking technique and some excellent lineouts from Andy Kay, Oli Councell and Brad McDonald.

York became frustrated at the lack of metres being made and began to concede penalties.

The pattern of the first half emerged as four penalties - all conceded for slowing the ball down or failing to roll away - were all slotted by the visitors, while York had Councell yellow carded.

York lost James Geldart with an injured thigh after a thunderous tackle to stop an Aspatria player breaking loose.

Mike Bunting began to find his form at full-back, Billy Cakaunitabua got some space out wide and Graeme Smith began controlling the game at scrum-half as York began to show some real determination.

Nic Ventress opened York's account when he touched down after Smith had carried and then kicked the ball up field.

York had 15 minutes left to save their season and they were helped by Aspatria losing a player to the sin-bin.

Smith stole the ball from his opposite number at the base of a scrum and darted up the field.

He was hauled down but the ball was delivered to Craig Ventress and then Sam Arkle, who fed Nic Jackson out wide and he side-stepped to go over the line. Ventress converted and York claimed a point.

Meanwhile, Pocklington secured a 20-12 victory over West Park Leeds in Yorkshire Two thanks to second half tries from brothers Jack and Joe Holbrough.

Centre Nick Bennett kicked Pocklington into the lead with a penalty.

Pocklington's pack, with young prop Chris Morton to the fore, worked hard into the wind.

But West Park put pressure on Pocklington through their big forwards and they scored twice in the last five minutes of the first half to lead 12-3 at the break.

Pocklington got back into contention midway through the second period thanks to an 80-yard try.

Teenage centre Jack Holbrough started it in his own 22, Bennett and fly-half Henry Mitchell ran strongly down the right and Holbrough steamed up in support to gallop 20 yards to the posts for Bennett to convert.

Pock finally got their noses in front when a good attack down the right was followed by quick passing left to send wing Joe Holbrough diving over. Bennett kicked the touchline conversion, and made the game safe with a 40 yard penalty.

York RI were beaten 31-12 by Barnsley in Yorkshire Three.