It is a truism of rugby that you must play for the entire eighty minutes to secure victory and York did this against Driffield on Saturday. However, the game, by the writer’s reckoning at least, was ninety minutes long and York let what was looking to be a certain and well deserved victory slip away in the last ten minutes of the game, going down to a jubilant Driffield side 29 points to 27. After a long break for holidays and the modern equivalent of the big freeze before Christmas (“it’ll take a stud by kick off time” I could hear Big Al muttering), the game against local rivals Driffield was eagerly anticipated by both clubs. The lay-off provided time for many of York’s injuries to clear up and they were able to field a first choice team with only Joe Simpson still side lined: Paddy Hayes pulling on the No7 jersey, club stalwart Brian McClure continuing his run on the wing, albeit on the other side of the whitewash with a flag in his hand! We gathered with excitement at the prospect of the encounter ahead. The game didn’t disappoint.

York kicked off with a gusting breeze blowing across the pitch. This was to be last touch they had for ten minutes as a well drilled Driffield side mounted an onslaught against a resilient York defence, protecting the ball well in contact and recycling quickly. However, the defence was not to be bettered and gradually started to get on top, York began to exert their own pressure, particularly in the scrum, and forced Driffield into mistakes. With more possession and gaining more territory, York were looking more threatening with ball in hand. Driffield looked vulnerable out wide and Cusack was distributing to good effect to exploit this.

It was York that opened the scoring, Scholey powering over to the left of the posts after good approach play had taken York to the 22m line, which Cusack converted. A second try scored by Fordy quickly extended their lead. The move of the half came four minutes later. York really on top now playing wide expansive rugby off a strong scrummaging platform. Good interplay and quick hands took York to a ruck on the right-hand side of the Driffield 22. Quick phase ball through Atkin and Cusack was pushed left quickly to Scholey in the centre who executed his role as pivot to perfection feeding the looping Cusack. Cusack fed Ashman whose pace took him to the line before passing inside to Davies who scored. Great awareness, great pace and good accuracy and three tries in less than ten minutes without reply. Driffield 0, York 17.
Driffield managed to pull the half time score back to 12 -17 with tries from their back row Falkingham and Mewburn but it was the York side that ended the half with more of the game and looking the better side. Driffield though had showed evidence of the side they can be.

York started well in the second half, Fordy crossing for his second of the match after strong forward play. Cusack converting, extended the York lead: Driffield 12, York 24. The game became more balanced now, Driffield looking more dangerous with ball in hand particularly full back Dinsdale who was adding good pace and power to the attack from deep positions. The York defence seemed to be up to it though with strong tackling across the team, a highlight being Paddy Hayes preventing what looked a certain try with a devastating cover tackle that left Driffield’s wing wondering where the train that hit him had come from. Perhaps the closeness of the battle in the second half prompted the decision to go for goal when York were awarded a penalty on the left-hand side of the field on the Driffield 22 m line. With the wind assisting him, Cusack made no mistake putting the ball between the uprights to take York into a 15 point lead, Driffield 12, York 27. Deep into the second half, Driffield needing to score three times to win. Surely, York would close this out for a victory the support thought, particularly on the evidence of the game so far.

A number of changes in the York side forced a degree of reorganisation: Maud already on for Enslin at No8, Enslin came back on to replace Croft, Fothergill going to second row. Cusack also came off, Davies going to fly half, Elliot going to full back and Barrick going on to the wing. The reshaped team recommenced its endeavour. Good sides make a habit of winning and Driffield are a good side. With ten minutes of normal time remaining Driffield mounted a sustained onslaught that saw them retain the ball for pretty much the rest of the game. Powerful running from Dinsdale at full back and the back row again making good ground and threatening the York line. Driffield’s pack playing the breakdown with accuracy and not giving away penalties, they quickly pulled the deficit back to eight points before Watts, the scrum half jinked his way through a tired looking defence near the posts to setup another nail biting finish; Driffield 26, York 27.

When was the referee going to blow his whistle? We must be at full time surely? Time for a restart. A high tackle from York on their 22 m line, gave a penalty to Driffield. Last kick of the game – we closed our eyes only to hear the Driffield crowd roar and the final whistle blow. Driffield 29, York 27.