York travelled to Bridlington to play the quarter final of the Yorkshire Shield today. Both Bridlington and York have played very well in the league this season (first and third respectively) so a tough game was in prospect. York had Liam Hessay at fly-half and Neil McClure at full-back, in the forwards, Josh Parker played at open-side flanker with Daz Rutherford, Russ Bowers and James Hartley in the front row. Bridlington had Matiu Welch at fly-half who has been excellent all season. There was no rain in Bridlington but the pitch was muddy and there was a strong, biting wind which favoured Bridlington in the first half.

York started the game well with a spell of possession, they kept the ball tight but the Bridlington defence offered no gaps and despite defending, put York under pressure. After a change in possession, Matiu Welch kicked over the York defence towards the corner and Gary Stevens scored Bridlington’s first try. The conversion was missed, 5-0. York found it hard to go forward and Matiu Welch scored again after intercepting a York pass, the conversion was good, twelve quick points for Bridlington with York yet to score. Chris Fox collected the re-start after the Bridlington try wonderfully and York continued to put a lot of effort in to their attack. Bridlington were able to use the wind though and clear the ball fifty metres downfield. York tried to make their way up-field, Sam Potrykus made seven or eight metres, taking the ball at pace, but every metre York made forward was hard-fought. With York finding progression difficult, Bridlington had possession in the York twenty-two. Welch put in another kick behind the York defence (this time along the ground) and George Davies did well to cover and clear the ball. York were scrapping and competing against a well-organised Bridlington attack but they couldn’t stop Bridlington prop, Paddy Waines from crashing over after a fantastic short ball from Matiu Welch. The conversion was good, 19-0. Bridlington scored again not long after the game was re-started. York were attacking and doing well, Daz Rutherford made some good metres going forward but a loose York pass was picked up by Bridlington, they passed the ball well and Gareth Roberts scored. The conversion was good, 26-0 with five minutes left in the first half. Bridlington were able to relieve any pressure with wind-assisted clearance kicks. They played the game in York’s half of the field and Gareth Steven’s scored Bridlington’s fifth try of a dominant first half. The conversion was good and it was 33-0 at half time.

York spent the first ten minutes of the second half within ten metres of the Bridlington try-line but they were unable to score. Marc Benson came closest but he was held-up over the line. Just as Bridlington cleared their line, Chris Fox intercepted a pass and ran in to score what would be York’s only try of the game. Neil McClure converted the try and it was 33-7. Bridlington scored two more tries in the remaining twenty minutes, Martin Robinson got them both. Bridlington attacked, Ryan Girking who played at outside-centre for Bridlington is a good player. He was part of the attack that enabled Martin Robinson to get his first try close to the corner. The conversion was missed. Bridlington continued to attack and exert pressure on York. York didn’t give up though, Daz Rutherford put in a good effort to chase down a Bridlington runner and George Davies made an excellent tackle. York couldn’t stop Martin Robinson from scoring his second and Bridlington’s final try though. The conversion was missed before the referee blew his whistle for full-time.