York battled hard attempting to secure their second win and reverse their seasons fortunes but couldn't overcome third placed Alnwick who secured their ninth win outscoring York two tries to one.

The league fixtures are just beyond the halfway point now and injuries and unavailability have forced York to use more than 40 players in their campaign so far. Contrast this with Alnwick who have only used 22, consistency creating a foundation for their success. It was pleasing therefore to see some stability in selection starting to take place despite some changes. Harry Shackleton returned to pull on the No.10 jersey with Finlay Morris starting at scrum half and Kyle Consterdine playing hooker to cover the unavailable Wilson.

York came out firing from the first whistle, their set-piece looking sharp and dominant in the early exchanges Shackleton bringing some much-missed variety to the York game, kicking the ball behind the Alnwick defensive line when the door was closed to efforts with ball in hand. Both sides looked to establish territory in the first quarter through the boot, neither side managing to gain much ground. Tackling from both sides was solid, Scholey, igniting the home crowd. With a thunderous tackle you could feel, and hear, on the touchline.

York continued to apply pressure, using territory to their advantage and probing Alnwick’s defensive line with clever kicks. For most of the first quarter, York were in control, forcing Alnwick to defend deep. The new half back pairing working well, Morris firing passes off left and right hands from the base of the breakdown. An early penalty gave opportunity to put York ahead with a penalty from 40 metres, but the attempt drifted wide.

A rare Alnwick attack into York’s 22 was snuffed out, and moments later came a moment of magic—a lovely break from Peplinski, whose fast feet and acceleration tore through the defence, taking play back into Alnwick’s quarter. Shackleton lined up another penalty but missed again, leaving the door open.

Alnwick seized their chance. A penalty from 30 meters, coolly converted by Blackett, gave them a 0–3 lead and shifted momentum as the game became entrenched in the York 22, Alnwick pinning York back through the efforts of fly half Callum Burn and hard running by their industrious pack. York soaked up the pressure and exited well, with a heroic effort on the wing by Quinn to keep the ball in play and allowing York to clear their line.

Then came the breakthrough: a superb turnover by Recchia enabled Shackleton to chip deftly over the top. Neatly collected by Fordy, who fed Peplinski in for the try from the halfway line, his pace too much for the Alnwick defence that had to turn. The halftime score of 7–3 a fair reflection of the game.

Alnwick started the second half strongly, quickly establishing a position in York’s 22 after York slipped off the first up tackle. Sustained pressure and good recyling enabled Blackett to cross to the right of the posts for Alnwick’s first try. York 7, Alnwick 8.

The contest intensified—a true battle royal in the scrums taking shape, with territory swinging back and forth. York’s defence held firm under relentless Alnwick pressure, though unforced errors sustained the visitors hope. A forward pass halted Alnwick just short of the line, but they kept coming and eventually crossed for their second try, Blackett converting to extend their lead: York 7, Alnwick 15.

The last quarter saw a sustained ferocious assault. Camped in the Alnwick red zone, York recycled phase after phase, hard carrying by Fothergill, McGrath, and Enslin hammered away at the Alnwick line. The pressure was relentless, but the breakthrough never came. Alnwick’s tackling was accurate and powerful both sides committing themselves
completely, the sound of the hits ringing around the ground. York’s last-gasp efforts fell short, the final whistle coming too soon. Final score York 7, Alnwick 15.

A gripping contest between two well-matched sides – this didn't look like a game between teams placed 3 and 12 in the league. With performances like this it is hard to understand how York remains firmly planted to the foot of the table. York dominated early and showed flashes of brilliance through their pacey wings and Shackleton brought better structure to their game, but missed opportunities proved costly. Alnwick’s resilience and clinical finishing secured the win in a game that had everything—big tackles, tactical kicking, and a nail-biting finish.

York: Davies, Quinn, Rae, Fordy, Quinn, Shackleton, Morris, Westaby, Consterdine, Scholey, Fothergill, McGrath, Enoka, Muir, Enslin. Rep: Recchia, Du Boulay, Atkin.

Alnwick: Townsend, Spark, Ord, Cuthbert, Robson, Burn, Blackett, Elliot, Smith, Burn F, Gray, Dykes, Bird, Pettifer, Gothorp. Rep: Van Vuuren, Inglis, Paul.