York travelled to Sandal hoping to build on their win the previous week against Scarborough and to kick start their league campaign having yet to win a game and only 1 point after 3 games. Their hosts Sandal were in a similar position, yet to register a win and with no points. They like York are rebuilding and going through a period of transition. Last season York were victors both home and away but both games were tight. Storm Amy had yet to disappear and there was torrential rain before the game and during it which impacted upon the quality of play.

York kicked off playing down the slope and the hosts retained and recycled the ball gradually taking play to the York 22. They were able to defend a catch and drive from a line out on the 10 metre line and cleared to the 22 metre line. From the line out York were expecting another catch and drive but instead the hosts quickly passed the ball to the number 8 who was in the backs and ran a good line at pace and gained good ground and was able to offload and the result was a try in the corner which was converted. A move straight from the training ground. The score 7-0 after 5 minutes.

From the kick off York gained possession but before they could threaten knocked the ball on. From the scrum Sandal took play to the 10 metre line, and from a penalty kicked to 15 metre from the York line. They defended the catch and drive and earned a penalty. They then had a good passage of play and were able to put Adam Infante in space but the home defence was good. York were now in the home 22 for the first time in the game but from a scrum Sandal put the ball along the back line to the winger who went all the way and scored under the posts. The conversion was a formality. The score now 14-0 after 18 minutes. To add to York’s woes they were now playing in to the storm Amy rain. They went on the attack and from a penalty kicked to 20 metres but lost the line out. They then infringed and had to defend a line out in their 22, they did so but having taken the ball up field poor tackling allowed Sandal to return to the 22. A fracas then occurred after 27 minutes and a home player received a yellow card. Sensing an opportunity York went on the attack but could not put a consistent period of play together. Then from nowhere in mid field the home side winger chipped the ball over the York back line was able to collect and score. The conversion was kicked and after 30 minutes the score was now 21-0.

The remainder of the half belonged to York but against a solid defence they could not take advantage of the extra man and knocked on when they were in a position to score.
The home side were the better side in the first half. York were not able to spend any time on the ball and put the home side under any pressure. When they had the ball they didn’t protect it well enough and the tackling on occasions was poor.

However, the game was still there to be won but to do so York had to play better, start the second half with more energy, pace and tempo score early in the half and not allow the home side to score again.

From the kick off York took play to Sandal and from a penalty kicked to the 22, Sandal defended the catch and drive were awarded a scrum from which their number 8 was able to run 50 metres and when a try looked inevitable to the relief of the away support knocked on. York were able to clear but it was not long before they had to defend again. They were able to do so and took play to the half way line. They earned a penalty and kicked to the 15 metre line, the catch and drive was defended and at the resultant scrum conceded a penalty which allowed the home side to clear. York regained possession and the ball went along the line to winger Adam Infante, who when chasing his own kick was taken out by a Sandal player. It was a clear red card offence but the referee issued a yellow not to the player at fault but to another as a result of the resulting fracas.

From the penalty York kicked to the home side’s 22, they were awarded another penalty and elected for the scrum. Sandal infringed again and again and on each occasion, York took the scrum. Eventually it paid off and number 8 Wilhelm Enslin powered over. George Davies put over the conversion to take the score to 21-7 after 26 minutes.

York now had some belief and went back on the attack and were soon in the home sides 22. Another penalty was awarded and York elected for the scrum, Sandal initially kept them out but only by constant infringing and the referee lost patience and sent another Sandal player to the bin. Eventually pressure told and from a 5 metre scrum Toby Atkin was on hand to score. George Davies had no trouble with the conversion. The score now 21-14 after 36 minutes.

There was still time for York to score again but from the kick off they lost the ball in possession and gifted a penalty to Sandal 20 metres out from which they kicked for goal but fortunately missed which meant that despite the defeat York came away with a bonus point.

Shortly thereafter the referee blew the final whistle to bring the game to an end.
It was an ill tempered second half and the game generally was scrappy but Sandal did just enough to win.

Next week York host Middlesborough who have also yet to register a win.

Report by Jonathan leach