Hill's rise is particularly pleasing as he has come through the ranks and demonstrates the club has strength and depth in some key positions. The win was also important as it keeps the Abbeydale outfit in touch with the top of the Yorkshire One table after the blip at Skipton.

The early exchanges saw the home side playing with flair and ambition despite running into the teeth of a gale. It didn't take long for them to make their mark when, on 12 minutes, pocket battleship Vivian Moodley made a storming break across the gain line leaving several defenders in his wake. The No.8's skilful offload found Hill in acres of space and he could scarcely believe his luck as he was left with the simple task of running 30 metres to score. Impressive fly half Donal Collins slotted the difficult conversion with a powerful low kick that defied the howling wind.

York came back into contention on 30 minutes with a long distance penalty from fly half Williams, despite being a man down after hooker James Arkle had been yellow carded for cynically killing the ball at the breakdown. Half time arrived with the home side clinging to a narrow 7 – 3 lead but with the promise of more to come given they would now be playing with a 20 point wind according to the local rugby sages.

Unfortunately they were to be proved wrong as Sheffield failed to move out of sight. and another Collins penalty was all they had to show for their procession. The key to the home side's failure to ram home their advantage was the yellow-carding of inspirational back row forward Andy Kelly. His departure weakened an already lightweight pack and severely restricted the line out options as the ball on the Sheffield throw had exclusively gone to him.

The visitors, sensing blood, turned the screw and eventually the home side's defence cracked when quick ball gave full back Nixon the opportunity to surge through a gap in midfield to score a converted try to level the scores. Worse was to follow when York edged into the lead when Sheffield carelessness saw them caught off side and Williams dealt out the punishment with a penalty.

To their credit the Abbeydale side hit back immediately. A promising move appeared to have floundered when a wayward pass went to ground. However the ever-alert Hill hacked forward inducing a schoolboy handling error from his opposite number which then allowed the winger to kick on again and follow up by winning the sprint to touch the ball down.

Collins was unable to add the extras but quickly made amends with a well struck penalty. York were far from dead and buried and narrowed the gap to three points with a drop goal on 70 minutes.

The last 10 minutes were a nervous affair as Sheffield pressed but were unable to retain the ball at crucial moments.

Verdict: Three wins and one defeat – uncharted territory in recent years for the men from Abbeydale but don't get too giddy.

While the backs look like quicksilver under the generalship of Poste, Collins and Amos, the forwards, although punching above their weight, still lack potency and imagination at the set piece.

I can see Sheff competing for promotion as there is a really spirit in the side and some class acts in key positions but getting quick quality ball from the set piece will be the key battle. The jury's still out...

Team: Marples, Balshaw, Adamo, Broomhead, Ellis, Kelly, Macpherson, Moodley, Poste, Collins, Barrett, Byron Amos (capt.), Hill, Read. Replacements: Thomsett, Russell, Atkinson.

Tomorrow Sheffield travel to Heath who rattled up 50 points at bottom club Malton and Norton last weekend.



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