York played host to Bradford Salem, looking to avenge the narrow defeat Bradford inflicted on York in their earlier league fixture and hoping to close the gap between themselves and West Leeds in second place and more importantly, the promotion playoff spot.

The game was to be strewn with errors as both sides lacked the continuity and composure to take a real hold of the game. York’s front five had the advantage in the scrums and in the close quarters and this was probably the difference between the two sides on the day. The opening exchanges saw both sides showing a lack of bite in defence, York however were able to take advantage. In their first real attack, a well worked lineout gave them the ball and after drives by Fox and Rutherford, Number 8 Goulding crashed over. The conversion was missed by McClure. (York 5 – Bradford 0).

The lead was not to last for long as Bradford used a clearing kick with no real chase from York to launch their own attack. Simple straight running and hands allowed Bradford’s Number 8 Baines to score, converted, the visitors had the lead. (York 5 – Bradford 7). York continued to give the visitors too much space as first-up tackles went missing. The Bradford backs were making good ground and showing their pace as they cut lines through York’s defensive line. Outside centre Hall and winger Malarkey showing pace. The only bright point during this phase of the game was the scrum, where York had the obvious dominance and used it well to launch attacks. Ironically, it was a mistake by York from the base of the scrum that gifted Bradford their second try as a pass from Ambler went to his opposite man who ran the 25 metres to the line. Converted, Bradford extended their lead. (York 5 – Bradford 14).

York had a better restart with winger Nicholson collecting the dropout from McClure’s boot. The home side managed to hold on to the ball and build solid phases. Eventually the ball came to McClure on the far right; a very neat chip was collected by Davies on the wing who returned the ball to McClure to score an excellent try. Davies this time attempted the conversion but was also unable to add the extras. (York 10 – Bradford 14).The remainder of the first half saw glimpses of what York could do when they clicked but all too often the last pass went to ground or the ball was lost in contact. McClure broke free on the right flank for a second time and had the support out wide but he took the ball into contact and was halted with unsympathetic force, cutting short the attack. York went into the half time break with their home supporters feeling frustrated knowing that they were playing well below their ability.

A positive for the opening of the second half was the welcome return to the field of Gareth Singleton, who has spent much of this season injured. York were intent on tightening up their performance and doing the basics well. Dan Coe and Rupert Garland also off the bench, Rupert becoming the 49th player to pull on a 1st team shirt this season. A clearing kick by McClure was again bereft of a cohesive chase but luckily for York the returning kick by Bradford was kept in the field of play and Will Atkin was able to run onto the ball at pace. Making good ground, Atkin recycled the ball to Parker to continue the move, Ambler showed good hands to make the last pass to Goulding, who, ever aware of the chance of a score, crossed for his second and York’s third. Davies added the extras to give York the lead. (York 17 – Bradford 14).

The remainder of the game became increasingly scrappy. York’s fitness and strength in the scrum was evident and they continued to pressurise the visitors as they pushed for the bonus point score. Bradford were reduced to 14 men as their scrum half was yellow carded but York were unable to make the advantage count. A hack forward by Nicholson saw him go very close to scoring as he collected his own kick from a fumbling defender but was adjudged to have knocked on during grounding. The result was a series of scrums five metres out from the Bradford line. York’s dominance did not immediately equate to a score as the referee struggled to keep control of the scrum and it took a number of resets before York shoved the Bradford pack over the line for Goulding to score his third and more importantly, York’s fourth. Again, the conversion was just wide. (York 22 – Bradford 14).

The game fizzled out and lost any real flow as several silly and petulant penalties were awarded. But, York managed to control the closing minutes and put boot to ball to end out the game. Whilst the performance won’t be remembered, the ability to grind out the five-point win will. York did well to maintain enough composure to secure the bonus point and keep the pressure on West Leeds for the play-off spot. Next week York travel to Beverley who after coming down from the higher leagues are starting to find their feet and have won eight of their last nine games. If York are to push on, the trip to Beverley will be a crucial test.
Team - Rutherford, Webster, Norris, Benson, Fox, Parker, Hall, Goulding, Ambler, Hessay, Nicholson, Potrykus, Atkin, Davies, McClure
Finishers - Coe,Garland,Singleton

Photos - https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/yorkrufc/photos/york-v-bradford-salem-4th-march-2017-724444.html