North Ribblesdale 33 - York 31

For the first time in many years York travelled to the dales, to Settle to play North Ribblesdale who were promoted from Regional 2 North West with a very impressive playing record of 18 wins and only 4 defeats. They started this season with a defeat at Northern followed by a narrow win at home against Sandal.

York after a loss and a draw were looking for their first win of the season.

Overlooked by the hills of the dales the pitch was in a good condition with plenty of grass. The weather forecast was for rain throughout the afternoon but fortunately after a damp first half it cleared up and in the second half the sun came out and provided ideal playing conditions.

The game was watched by a noisy home crowd and a good number of York supporters.
The home side kicked off and for 5 minutes play took place in the middle of the pitch as each side settled. An early scrum penalty for York resulted in Reece Dean putting the first York points on the board.

From the kick off a poor kick from York in their 22 saw the home side take advantage and a converted try followed after 6 minutes and the score was now 7-3. Reece also followed up with another penalty to move the score to 7-6.

York were soon back on the attack and were able to take play to their opponent’s 22 but good defence kept them out. Both sides then had periods when questions were asked of their opponent’s defence, but both were solid and it was not until York took advantage of penalties to kick to North Rib’s 10 metre line that a score resulted. The catch and drive from the line out was defended, the ball went wide and after several phases Reece Dean scored. The conversion missed and after 30 minutes York had a slender lead of 7-11.

From the kick off the home side conceded yet another penalty, the referee lost patience and a yellow card followed. York were able to take advantage and kicked a penalty from Reece Dean to stretch the lead to 7-14 after 35 minutes.

The away supporters were optimistic but alas too soon. Their team failed to gather the kick off and conceded a soft try which was converted. The situation worsened when they then conceded a penalty, North Rib kicked to York’s 5 metre line and the home side scored from a catch and drive which they converted to stretch the lead to 21-14 at half time.

North Rib began the second half as they finished the first, on the attack and the York defence was good but eventually the pressure told and from a clever through kick the visitors were the first to react and a try resulted which was not converted. The lead now after 8 minutes was 26-14.

The game was in danger of slipping away from York, but they were able to spend time on the ball and it was the home sides turn to defend. They only did so by conceding too many penalties and a second yellow card followed. York kicked the penalty to the 5-metre line and a catch and drive saw Sam Croft come up with the ball and credited with the try which Reece Dean converted. After 13 minutes York had reduced the deficit to 26-21.

The score seemed to give York self-belief. From the kick off they took the game to the home side and a break by Will Fordy saw Tom Gray score in the corner. Reece Dean was able to put over the conversion, and the score after 16 minutes was 26-28.

York now looked to score again and make the game safe but when in their opponent’s 22 the ball went loose, North Rib took advantage and kicked through to York’s 5 metre line. Initially they were able to hold out but eventually the pressure told and a converted try followed to put the home side in the lead at 33-28 after 28 minutes.

There was still time for York to score and win the game and after 32 minutes Reece Dean put over another penalty to take the score to 33-31. It was a question of which side could hold their nerve.

It was a frantic last 8 minutes with York desperate to score and North Rib holding on but only at the cost of a penalty on their 10 metre line. The clock was ticking down, and it would be the last play. York elected to kick, but it fell agonisingly close to leave the home side the narrow winners.

There were positives to take from the game, the scrum was solid and the line out functioned well and with better game management the game was there to be won.

Next week York hope to kick start their season when they host Driffield.

Match report by Jonathan Leach