York cruised to a comfortable victory against bottom of the table West Bridgford with the game sewn up by half time York eventually outscoring them by seven tries to one. A number of injuries limiting selection options required York to reshape their front row though the line up of Westaby, Scholey and Jackson did little to dent the capability and confidence of the side. Power in the scrummage clearly wasn’t going to be a problem and neither was the lineout as it turned out with Scholey throwing in well considering he doesn’t do it regularly. York soon established their dominance creating a solid and forward moving platform that gave Atkin time and space to quickly move the ball on to relaunch the relentless waves of attack that gave West Bridgford little time to react.

The quick, clean phase ball enabled York to set a high tempo to the game and change the point of attack by mixing up short running forwards with passing moves in the three quarters. West Bridgford tackled manfully but it was only a matter of time before their line would break. Only twelve minutes to be exact before an inside pass to Scholey released him over the line for the first try, Cusack converting. York 7, West Bridgford 0. Only three minutes later and York were mounting another attack. Accurate passing through the backs released Woffendin on the wing who made good ground before passing inside to Ashman for the first of his three tries. Conversion missed but scoreboard rolling and momentum building, York 12, West Bridgford 0.

It would have been interesting to see the first half game stats. York dominating territory and possession; almost the entire first half was played in West Bridgford’s half and much in its 22m area. West Bridgford would top the tackle count but if heart and commitment were to be measured by the statisticians, they would have scored highly in that area too. At one point they managed to string together a number of phases driving hard yards to get to give themselves a brief spell on the halfway line before Cusack’s soul destroying boot put them back on their try line and under pressure again. West Bridgford struggled to clear their line, many of their clearance kicks finding York’s back three rather than touch. Enslin crossed for York’s third try after 26 minutes converted by Cusack to take the lead to 19-0. With plenty of time to pick and choose their options York enjoyed the time and space to run, the three quarters creating good attacking positions but not managing to convert the good build up work. York eventually clocked up the fourth try and bonus point through Ashman to take the halftime score to 26-0, Cusack again converting.

Ashman claimed his third try (the team looked forward to the obligatory jug!) when seemingly held up, he managed to stretch and control the grounding of the ball wide on the left. Cusack converting. York 33, West Bridgford 0. A key aim of the York side was to keep the concentration and energy levels high throughout the game, but this is a bigger challenge than it may seem when the opposition isn’t demanding that focus of you. The third quarter of the game saw York’s concentration drop and allow West Bridgford to sustain more possession and some territory. West Bridgford managed to create some sustained pressure and came close to scoring but strong defensive work by York held them out on the line. York were still working hard but not replicating the first half tempo until Maud, whose new red boots seemed to give him a new turn of pace, scored York’s next try. Collecting the ball about 30m out, he managed to shrug off the attempted tackle and showed good pace to carve a line through the centres before crashing over the line. The Davies conversion taking the score to 40-0 in York’s favour. West Bridgford kept trying and their efforts were rewarded by an unconverted try. It was York who completed the scoring action though, having found their concentration and sharpness again. Atkin took a quick tap penalty, battling through the West Bridgford players, who weren’t ten metres, only to be held up on the line. York recycled and the forwards worked the ball over for the final score of the game, by Fothergill. York 45, West Bridgford 5.

The selection options gave an opportunity to test the strength of the squad. Barrick, who has been on the bench for recent games wasted no time showing his talents. He is a ferocious tackler but also runs very good lines attacking the inside shoulders of defences, very necessary in the modern game where space is limited. Sam Croft is adjusting nicely to the higher level in this league. Making his impact more and more each week. His choices always good and his execution sound, he provides a great focal point for the pack, particularly from set positions such as kick off.

A job well done in taking maximum points from the sides at the lower end of the league over recent weeks, the whole squad is aware of the challenge ahead with Billingham at home and Cleckheaton away. Challenges yes, but ones they are capable of meeting.

photos : https://www.yorkrufc.co.uk/photos/york-rufc-45-v-west-bridgford-rfc-5-1042503.html