York travelled to Blackburn for the first of what should have been three games, in the first round of the Papa John Community Cup. The other 2 games were to be against Harrogate and Driffield, but Harrogate have decided not to participate. The winners of the group play a further regional game on the 4th May with the final on either the 11th or 12th May. We last played Blackburn in the 2021/22 season. They play in the northwestern league equivalent to ours. This season they finished 3rd in the league winning 16 games, losing 5 and drawing 1, so by any measure a successful one. The club house is situated in the picturesque Ribble valley. The pitch considering the amount of rain was in good condition. The weather started dry but with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch. A few hardy souls from York had made the trip. There was a large home crowd who had braved the weather.

For a variety of reasons neither side were at full strength, and both gave an opportunity to aspiring 1st team players. York’s preparation was not ideal the coach getting stuck on the M62 and not arriving until 2.30 so the game kicked off at 3.30. Gus Barrick and Jonty Atkinson were recording their 50th appearance for the 1st team. Congratulations to both and hopefully both will notch up another 50.

York kicked off into the wind and within 2 minutes earned a penalty on their opponent’s 22. It would normally have been no problem for Harry Shackleton but the strong wind took it wide. Surprisingly Blackburn didn’t kick for position but ran the ball out of defence and throughout the game ran the ball at every opportunity, but it was not long before York were back on the attack. On the 22 after several phases, Harry Shackleton chipped over the defence collected the ball and touched down under the posts. The conversion was no problem for him. York had a lead of 7 after 6 minutes.

For the next 10 minutes York had all the ball and territory but could not turn them into points. Blackburn then spent time on the ball and they showed pace, particularly in the backs, resulting in a try in the corner which they could not convert to bring the score to 5-7 after 17 minutes. They were now playing with confidence and running with the ball but it was one of their big second rows who crashed over after 23 minutes near to the posts which was converted to give them a lead of 12-7.

York then spent the next 15 minutes on the attack and eventually after several phases, wing Aj Peplinski evaded his man and scored under the posts which Harry Shackleton converted to make the score 12-14 after 30 minutes. From the kick off a break by Ben Mills playing as flanker and showing his versatility made a break and took play back to the home side’s 22 and from nowhere a mazey run by Zach Burlingham resulted in a try under the posts which Harry Shackleton again dispatched to take the score to 12-21 after 33 minutes. York weren’t finished and within a couple of minutes and after several phases of play Jonty Atkinson went in at the corner to add a further try. It was not converted. The half ended with a penalty for the home side to take the score to 15-26. They had suffered from their scrum half leaving the field injured and not having a replacement, their fly half taking his place.

York’s supporters were quietly confident as in the second half they would be playing with the wind even though their line out was not functioning very well. From the kick off York used the wind to kick for position to put their opponents under pressure and wait for the opportunities. It wasn’t long before a penalty was conceded, and Harry Shackleton took the score to 15 – 29. From the kick off the ball went back to the home side’s 22 and at a 5 metre scrum York were able to exert pressure the ball squirted out and scrum half Matt Ferguson was the first to react to pick up the ball and touch down under the posts. Harry Shackleton duly converted and after 20 minutes York’s lead was 15-36. It didn’t take long to extend the lead, but it was the forwards turn to score and Lewi Jackson crashed over near the posts. Harry Shackleton again converted to take the score to 15- 43 after 23 minutes.

The weather then took a turn for the worse and the heavens opened with a driving rain into the faces of the home side. Their supporters very sensibly took shelter in the club house. This wasn’t an option for their team who to their credit kept at it and 3 minutes later despite a solid York defence the scrum half went over near to the posts which was converted to take the score to 22-43. That was the last score of the game as the remainder was spent in Blackburn’s half and York dictated play ensuring that the home side did not have enough ball to create any opportunities or exert any pressure. The final whistle was a relief for all on the touch line.

Considering the conditions and the make up of the side it was a very creditable win for York. As Harrogate have pulled out, the next game is against Driffield, date & time to be confirmed. A win there and we are 1 game away from the final at Twickenham.