With a changed look side from last week’s game, York ran out today with high expectations of putting in a good performance for the faithful crowd who came to watch. In the first ten minute, it was Jane Richardson that in support of York centres Kadi Peake and Kathryn Howells, who crossed the whitewash with Kira Lewis adding the extras. Kira’s strike rate today, was nothing short of an inspiration for the team with a fruitful rate of five out of six off the boot. Sadly, Jane went off injured in the lead up to scoring what would have been her second try of the game.
Following the immediate kick off, Hartlepool scored from a well worked phase of play, but failed to tie the scores from the conversion. It seemed like the game was evenly balanced but what followed was a hat trick of tries from centre Kadi Peake. Her ability to strike through the Hartlepool defence with supporting players was a delight to see in favourable rugby conditions. But with stop, starts due to injuries throughout the first half, York kept their character, and scored off a darting run from Georgina Roberts as the half time whistle went.
Two quick converted tries from Hartlepool kept them in the game in the second half. York kept pounding away deep in the Hartlepool’s 22. Winger Helen Catherine came agonisingly close to scoring her first try in only her third game of her first season. Unfortunately, the ball wasn’t sticking to hand. From swift handling from a penalty, it was Becca Schofield who came crashing through to score under the posts for Kira Lewis to strike a further blow with the conversion as the last phase of play was played out.
Special mention to the players who came off the bench today who all played a pivoted role -none other than Nikki Gill. She has recently signed up for York Women and went around her business on the park with an acute desire and determination to deliver a notable performance.
York now proceed into a two-week phase of plan, repair and prepare prior to entertaining Burnley at home in the cup on Sun 29 Sep.