YORK vs HARROGATE (Home)

There was some consternation on the touchline, when a strangely garbed man appeared with his Xmas present slung at a jaunty angle across his shabby attire. Don't worry the matter has been reported to the fashion police, and we are hoping for an early intervention. In the meantime all players and parents are requested to give this person a wide berth (you’ll need to anyway due to his somewhat portly frame), and try not engage him in idle chatter as it will only encourage him.

Pre-match training again at 9:45, with 15 players turning out. Harrogate arrived early as well, with their substantial squad. By 10:30 we were ready for the off, with time for two games.

First game.

York were focused and organised from the start. Toby H was in amongst it with great conviction and commitment, and this paid off as he made a great tackle to allow Toby P to collect the ball and race ¾ down the pitch and put York into the lead (5-0). York sustained a long period of pressure in the Harrogate half, with Toby H continuing to be instrumental in the key action; the pressure paid off and it was Toby P who again scored (10-0). York were demonstrating tremendous teamwork, and were eventually rewarded by another try by Pari (15-0). Pari also contributed to the next score, as he did one of his trademark lightning runs down the touchline, finally passing to Oliver to touch down (20-0). York were in the ascendency now, and the team spirit and unselfish spirit was again demonstrated with Steele making a superb pass to Barney, who ran ½ of the pitch and brought the first half to a close with another score (25-0).

The second half saw a continuation of the heavy pressure by York, with much of the initial play being in the Harrogate half. The York forwards were working hard a big, strong Harrogate pack, Fraser using his strength to twice rip the ball Harrogate in mauls. After a lot of play around within 5m of the Harrogate try line, it was Steele who made the final play to score the first try of the second half (30-0). However, Harrogate demonstrated great spirit and came back at York, with a terrific break away in their half to run the remainder of the pitch and score (30-5). From the restart though, Steele swerved straight through the Harrogate players and stretched the lead again (35-5). Harrogate worked hard, in particular their forwards who were driving well, and put York under a lot of pressure, resulting in a well deserved try (35-10). Steele scored his second of the morning after some good passing and catching by York, who were making better use of the width of the field (40-10). Joe S made some great drives against the Harrogate pack to within a metre of the Harrogate line, and Sam I made the final score (45-10).

Final Score York 45-10 Harrogate.