York’s visitors were Billingham who after 11 games had won 10 and hardly surprising for the club at the top of the table, had scored the most points and conceded the fewest in the league and had a very positive points difference of 316 having scored 67 in their last game. York came into the game having won their last 3 games and looking to make it 4.

The weather for December was mild, dry with a slight wind and the ground and setting was a credit to the ground staff in very good condition, The visitors brought a sizeable number of supporters who throughout the afternoon provided vocal support to their team. All set for an entertaining game. Unfortunately, York were not at full strength and without their experienced fly half D Cusack who had flu. He was replaced by J Gilman.

Billingham kicked off, York failed to gather the kick and within 2 minutes without having hardly touched the ball the visitors scored their first try near the posts as a result of poor York defence, the conversion was a formality and already they had a difficult task. From the kick off York went on the attack and enjoyed time on the ball in Billingham’s half. The pressure resulted in a York penalty which they kicked to the corner and from the line out centre J Atkinson strolled through the defence to score under the posts. The conversion unfortunately was missed. 5-7 after 8 minutes. The home supporters hope returned.

It was then Billingham who went on the attack, York conceded a penalty which was kicked to York’s 22, they failed to defend the well-executed rolling maul and a try resulted. The conversion came back off the post. 5-12 after 14 minutes. York then collected their own kick off and put the visitors under pressure, but a cross field kick was poorly executed, and the opportunity was lost. York kept up the pressure, but play returned to their 22 and then they failed to find touch and to make matters worse had their prop yellowed carded. Billingham kicked to the corner and whilst York were able to defend the rolling maul the visitor’s fly half cross kicked and the wing had simply to catch the ball to score in the corner. The conversion was successful, and the score was now 5-19 after 26 minutes.

It was vital York did not concede again before half time and from the kick off they went on the attack and spent time in the Billingham half, the persistent infringing resulted in a yellow card for their centre after 32 minutes. York kicked to the corner but lost the lineout and then conceded an unnecessary penalty and the chance seemed lost. However, on the cusp of half time they were able to quickly take a penalty and after good work by both the forwards and backs, wing T Woffendin went in at the corner. J Gilman slotted over a difficult conversion and the half ended with the score 12-19.

It was any one’s game but for York it was important they scored first in the second half to keep the visitors under pressure. Whilst they started the half on the attack, they could not breach the Billingham defence which showed why they have only conceded an average of 11 points a game. Indeed, when they visited York’s 22 they scored a try despite stout York defence, after several phases of play which went from one side of the pitch to the other. The conversion went over. 12-26 after 8 minutes. It was looking ominous for York and the situation worsened after 12 minutes when they conceded a penalty which Billingham kicked to make the score 12-29. York then put the kick off straight into touch and quickly found themselves back in their own 22. However, they took the ball at Billingham’s line out and took the play to them and after 13 minutes their centre was yellow carded and for the second time in the game York had the extra man.

They made it pay when after more penalties, at each York elected for the scrum, their ever-alert scrum half T Atkin darted over from 5 metres after 26 minutes to make the score after a successful conversion 19-29. But York could not take further advantage. From the kick off they put themselves under pressure when they failed to secure the ball resulting in wave after wave of Billingham attacks, but York’s solid defence kept them out and they were able to clear their line and take the ball to the visitors in the hope of a further score. When the Billingham player received a second yellow card he was dismissed, and York had 5 minutes to take advantage but despite constant attacks were unable to do so and to their frustration could not reduce the deficit.

Billingham showed why they were top of the league, they were more clinical in attack than York, made their possession pay, made fewer errors, and had the superior kicking game. Overall, they were the better side and deserved the win. For York apart from the first 2 minutes a very good performance. Their scrum performed well, the lineout less so but at this level you cannot gift a try to any side and particularly one as efficient as the league leaders.

Next week York travel to Cleckheaton before the last home game of the year against Doncaster Phoenix on the 17th.

photos : https://www.yorkrufc.co.uk/photos/york-rufc-19-v-billingham-rufc-29-1043310.html