York welcomed Penrith which for both sides but particularly York was a must win game to avoid the prospect of relegation becoming even more likely. In the away game earlier in the season York just came up short in a game which they could have and probably should have won.

Penrith were promoted last season and were sitting just above York in the league table. They won the first 3 games of the season but despite some narrow defeats the only win since was against York. They conceded 115 points away at Heath in the last game only managing a solitary try in response. York were able to put out a strong side and the home supporters were quietly confidant.

After the near constant rain during the week the sun was out and the ground in a good condition but a little muddy and the sizeable crowd settled down in anticipation of a good game. Several of the visiting forwards looked to be carrying too much weight and the view expressed in the stands was that they would tire as the game progressed on the heavy ground

York kicked off but the first 5 minutes was very scrappy with neither side playing with any fluidity and making too many mistakes. The home side were the first to settle and were able to take the play to their opponent’s 22, pressure resulted in a penalty being conceded which G Davies kicked to put 3 points on the board after 10 minutes. An excellent start.
Any thoughts of an easy afternoon soon disappeared as from the kick off the visitors attacked and spent the next 10 minutes in the York half putting them under pressure and despite good defence too many penalties were conceded for the referee’s liking and a yellow card followed. Penrith elected to take a scrum rather than kick the penalty. It paid off and eventually pressure and having the extra man told and a converted try followed. After 20 minutes York were behind 3-7.

Soon after the kick off York conceded another penalty and Penrith were back in the home 22. They hammered away at the York line but kept the ball tight in the forwards and York were able to defend and keep them out. Eventually they lost possession and the home side capitalised and took the game to their opponent’s 22. From a maul in midfield Henry du Boulay broke and scored under the posts. G Davies had no problem with the conversion to take York into the lead with a score of 10-7 after 35 minutes.

The rest of the half belonged to York, they attacked from the kick off, desperate defence from the visitors kept them out but at the cost of a yellow card. York kicked to the corner and from the line out the forwards powered over the line. Callum Wilson was credited with the try. The conversion from wide out hit the post. York’s lead was now 15-7 with a couple of minutes left before the half time whistle. There was still time for a further score York put the ball wide and Harry Shackleton went in at the corner. The difficult conversion was missed. The score at half time 20-7 to the home side.

The York supporters were quietly confident but all too aware that there was still work to do to make the game safe.

From the kick off York collected the ball but in running out of defence knocked on allowing the visitors the opportunity to attack. As in the first half they kept the ball in the forwards very rarely putting the ball along the back line. They were too predictable, there was no cutting edge making it easy for York to defend and when they gained the ball put several phases together and put width on the ball and took the game to Penrith. They were soon in their 22, a penalty was conceded which was kicked to the 10 metre line. The line out was secured but the catch and drive defended. York remained on the attack hammering the line and when the ball was put along the back line winger AJ Peplinski was able to score in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed the score now 25-7 after 22 minutes. York having scored 4 tries had what could be an important bonus point.

The home supporters hoped that the game was won and the only questions were whether York would score again or Penrith add to their score.

The next 15 minutes was spent in midfield neither side able to make any headway and both sides defences held firm. The visitors were tiring and when they conceded a penalty York kicked to their 22, From the line out they attacked with both forwards and backs, eventually the pressure told and Will Scholey scored the final try. G Davies put over the conversion. The final whistle went shortly afterwards with the score 32-7.

A very satisfying and deserved win for the home side which because of results elsewhere moved them out of the bottom two. The scrum against a very heavy pack held its own, the line out was secure, the backs ran with purpose and considering the conditions the ball handling was good.

There is no game next week. York then travel to Blaydon whom they beat earlier in the season.