York revisited the scene of one of their worst performances of last season, away to Horsforth based Yarnbury, and were to eventually erase that memory with an outstanding second half performance.

The early signs were not good as an apparently lack lustre Thursday training session spilled over to match day as the visitors conceded 2 early penalties for lazy work at the breakdown. Yarnbury appeared the more purposeful and were rewarded on 6 minutes with a try in the corner for winger Brown following a sweeping backs move proving too good for the York defence, conversion missed 5 - 0.
Good breaks from Sam Potrykus, Lewis Hannibal and Shane Goulding were foiled as again support was lacking and good Yarnbury defence created turnover ball. York eventually had a successful George Davies penalty to bring them onto the score sheet , 5 - 3.
Not for the first time, York fumbled the kick off allowing the hosts to set off another good attack with centre Avison making the break and feeding inside to speedy full back Marshall to score, 10 - 3.
Suitably stirred, York put together some better phases earning a penalty which was kicked to the 5m line. Marc Benson peeled off from the back to go close and the recycled ball was fed to winger Tom Newitt who wriggled his way over in the corner, Davies just wide with the conversion, 10 - 8.
Desperate touchline defence prevented Yarnbury from replying following yet another fumble from the kick off, but York were able to put enough phases together to launch an attack inside the Yarnbury half from where a decent loop round and break from Liam Hessay found Goulding in space who fed winger Adam Penistone to score in the corner on the 30 minute mark, no conversion, 10 - 13.
York were now finding their rhythm and a typical snipe through from Toby Atkin earned a further Davies penalty from 15m out, 10-16. Play was confined to the midfield through to half time as the large Yarnbury pack countered the York attack with aggressive defence.

Whatever the coaches said during the break should be bottled and preserved for use in the future as the visitors then produced an a breath taking 20 minutes of rugby. Good rotation of substitutes has been a feature all season with young colts hooker Jack Starkey making his league debut at the start of the second half along with Dan Coe and Jon Dawes being introduced into the fray; winger Newitt also switched to outside centre with Gareth Singleton moving to the wing.
Starkey made an immediate impact in securing a penalty at the kick off and from the attacking lineout York were awarded a penalty try as the pack rumbled towards the line. Yarnbury 8 Leighton received a yellow card and Davies slotted the conversion, 10 - 23.
Dawes demonstrated how to deal with kick offs with a scything run upfield, off loading to Goulding who side stepped his way through the defence to feed speedster Newitt who was tackled just short but the excellent support produced quick ball for Coe to joyfully barge over; Davies converting the second try in 5 minutes.
One minute later, Hannibal charged upfield from the kick off feeding the supporting Newitt whose pace took him to the 20m line. Passing to big winger Singleton, he cut inside and was able to feed Atkin who scampered over under the posts to score against his old club, Davies converting the third try in 6 minutes,10 - 37.
Yarnbury nearly capitalised on a cavalier loose pass in the midfield with Newitt requiring medical attention from the ensuing ruck. York repelled the home attack and secured a turnover on their 5m line from where the ball found Newitt who, Lazarus like, rounded his marker and scorched the entire length of the pitch to touch down in the corner, 10 - 42.
Yarnbury , never once giving up, launched a promising attack through their backs only for the diminutive Penistone to intercept the ball and find enough gas in the tank to score 15m in, Davies hit the post with the conversion attempt, 10 - 47.With York understandably tiring, Yarnbury attacked with intent and gained their 3rd try of the game through a catch and drive with second row Maycock claiming the try, 15 - 47.The visitors found their second wind and the game proceeded at a frenetic pace with outstanding backrowers Goulding and Hannibal at the heart of things; a penalty was kicked to the 5m with Benson being again held up short from the line out. Yarnbury then enjoyed some rare territory and possession and claimed a well-deserved bonus point try from another rolling maul with centre Avison joining the forwards and claiming the try, 20 - 47, one minute to go.York finished on a high as Starkey made a strong run from the kick off, fly half Hessay chipped through for a limping Singleton to kick on and collect for the final try and move of the game; full time , 20 - 52.

An excellent game to watch with all 18 players more than fully contributing, there is now real competition for places with good players due back from injury and unavailability.

Colt Starkey was excellent on league debut and Tom Newitt's pace and guile deserves mention but men of the match were Shane Goulding and Lewis Hannibal.