York RUFC 1st XV v Alnwick RFC

It only seems 2 minutes since the end of last season, but September means autumn has arrived and the new season has started.

There can be no more picturesque place to play the first away game than Alnwick, one of the jewels of Northumberland, a pretty market town very near to the coast with a traditional rugby club and a reputation for playing good, attractive, solid rugby. Over the years York have struggled to secure a win and have not done so for a considerable time. The pitch has a slope which favours the home side. An innovation by Alnwick was that the programme was electronic only, making it challenging for those who prefer the paper version. York had travelled with several players missing for various reason but welcomed one of their close season additions, Josh Shepherd playing at blind side flanker. Number 8 Shane Goulding also featured having not played a great deal last season due to injury. The weather was warm with no wind, the concern was that it may be too warm and players with little match fitness would feel the effects.

York kicked off and immediately took the game to Alnwick and after 2 minutes were awarded a penalty which Liam Hessay kicked. 0-3 to York, who from the kick off went back to the home side’s 22 and after 7 minutes gained a penalty 5 metres out. It was quickly taken by scrum half Toby Atkin who touched down to make the score 0-8. The conversion fell just short but the perfect start for the visitors. It could have been even better 2 minutes later when York broke and only had the full back to beat but the pass was poor, and the chance was lost. York kept the attacking attitude which gained them a penalty, which was kicked to the home side’s 22, from the line out a drop goal by No 10 Harry Shackleton was the reward. 0-11 after 14 minutes.

Unfortunately, that was the last score of the half for York. They seemed to drop a gear, got on the wrong side of the referee, and conceded too many penalties. From one such, Alnwick did what they always do, kick to the corner, catch and drive from the line out and grind out a score. Whilst York were initially able to defend and frustrate the home side, eventually the pressure told and their large centre could not be stopped. The conversion was missed, 5-11 after 26 minutes.

Within a couple of minutes York’s situation got worse, they gave away 2 penalties and were then marched back 10 metres for back chat and Toby Atkin was yellow carded. Alnwick kicked the resultant penalty to take the score to 8-11 after 30 minutes. York supporter’s concern was that further scores would follow but to their credit York made light work of being a player down, took play to their opponent’s 22 and earned a 5-metre scrum. Regretfully they conceded a penalty and Alnwick kicked to safety.

There was no further score in the half. York certainly deserved the lead. Could they build on it in the second half?

They started as they had in the first half putting Alnwick under pressure and gaining a penalty which they kicked to the 5-metre line. The home side defended well and were able to clear. York kept up the pressure but Alnwick’s centre made a break which was only stopped just short of the try line. York conceded a penalty, although kickable, a scrum was taken and eventually the pressure told and the home centre scored a try after 12 minutes. The conversion was missed, Alnwick now had the lead 13-11. The score gave them confidence, York conceded too many penalties and within 2 minutes one such was kicked to the corner. Although York defended well it was at the cost of another penalty which was kicked. 16-11 after 20 minutes.

York then enjoyed a period of possession which brought a penalty and although kickable they elected to go to the corner and aim for the try. They secured the ball from the lineout but after several drives York knocked on and Alnwick cleared. The momentum of the game then dropped as the heat began to tell and neither side threatened until after 30 minutes York received another yellow card. It looked bleak for them; Alnwick took advantage and after 36 minutes kicked a penalty to take the score to 19-11. York now had to score twice to secure a win. To their credit they felt a further score was there and helped by Alnwick conceding a penalty from the kick off and themselves being marched back 10 metres. York kicked to the corner and from the line out their catch and drive resulted in a try by Paddy Hayes. The conversion was missed and was the last kick of the game. Final score 19-16.

York will feel the game could so easily have been theirs but conceding too many penalties and having 2 players yellow carded, meant they made it very difficult for themselves.