York travelled to the east coast in the first round of their defence of the Yorkshire Cup. Their hosts play in the league below York and have started the season well wining all 3 of their league games, with a healthy number of points scored and are eyeing promotion. York in comparison have had their worst league start for some seasons. Scarborough were up for the game and there was every prospect of an upset.

Scarborough’s set up is very impressive with a superb first team pitch which had plenty of grass. The only downside is that it is high up and near the sea and therefore very exposed when an easterly wind blows. In the winter months it must be a test of character when playing against the wind. There was considerable support for the home side with a few hardy folks from York.

York played with the wind in the first half and played with more intensity than their opponents which resulted in an early penalty put over by fly half Ollie Parsonage. However the lead was quickly taken by the home side who scored a converted try. York hit back with a try by Ollie Parsonage which he duly converted. He then followed that up with another penalty to take the score to 7-13. The lead was reduced when the home side scored an unconverted try to take the score to 12-13 which remained the score at half time neither side able to make any impression against good defences.

York were now to play against the wind and much would depend on how well the home side kicked for position, how well York defended and whether they could continue to play with intensity and pace and take the game to their opponents.

York started well but conceded a penalty which was kicked to their 22, the home side won the line out the ball went to the backs and their centre playing in his 200th first team game ran a good line and went over unopposed under the posts. The conversion was a formality and after 3 minutes the score was 19-13.

York came back immediately, they caught the ball from the kick off and after several phases of play earned a penalty which they kicked to the 10 metre line. The catch and drive was defended but eventually pressure told, an overlap created and winger Adam Infante scored the try which Ollie Parsonage converted. The score now 19-20 after 11 minutes.
York then had to defend as the home side took the game to them but were able to work their way up field. Scarborough’s hooker then received a yellow card for a high tackle. The question was whether York would be able to take advantage of having the extra man. The answer came quickly. From the penalty kick line out York then drove the resulting maul 30 metres and when it was stopped the forwards kept the ball tight and Eddie Westaby went over in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed but the visitor’s lead was now 19-25 after 20 minutes.

Shortly afterwards Ollie Parsonage had to leave the field due to injury which reduced York’s kicking options. It took them some time to readjust and had to defend as Scarborough kicked to York’s 22. They were able to do so but at the expense of another penalty which again they had to defend. They kept Scarborough at bay and worked their way into their opponent’s 22. They then applied pressure and the ball went through several phases involving both the forwards and backs resulting in Willem Enslin bullying his way over the line to score under the posts. George Davies put over the conversion to take the score to 19-32 after 33 minutes.

The home side came straight back on the attack from the kick off but when the ball went free York were the quickest to react, the ball went through several hands before George Davies ran in from the half way line. George Davies again put over the conversion to increase the lead to 19- 39 after 76 minutes.

There was still time for Scarborough to score an unconverted try from a loose York pass and from the kick off for York to finish with another score when they were able to put Adam Infante in space, he stood his opponent up and went round his outside to score his second try of the afternoon which was unconverted. The game finished with the score at 24-44. Time then to go to the club house and watch the Red Roses at a packed Twickenham convincingly beat Canada to win the world cup.

Overall, it was a much improved York performance and they thoroughly deserved the win. The scrum and line out worked well and they played the game at pace and with intensity.
Next week the league continues with an away game at Sandal

Jonathan Leach
29th September 2025