A bright sunny day in Scunthorpe was the setting for this latest Regional 1 North East encounter between two sides struggling in the lower reaches of the league. York had the enforced change due to Simpson’s concussion injury last week so skipper White moved to openside, his place as hooker going to Consterdine. The only other change was on the wing where Ashman replaced Woffendin, who was unavailable. Basically a fairly settled unit.

York kicked off and Scunthorpe gathered well and embarked on a determined and skilful assault on the York line and territory. Good interchange between forwards and backs saw the visitors pinned back for the first 6/7 minutes until York’s Fothergill intercepted to momentarily ease the pressure. However York conceded a penalty which allowed further home pressure and a second penalty, quickly taken, saw Scunthorpe scamper over near the corner for a well deserved try which Clark converted. (7-0). At that point it is very probable that York’s backs had not actually touched the ball. It was as if a switch was thrown at this point. York suddenly got onto the front foot, led by the rampaging Will Scholey and his forwards. Scrum ascendancy was gained and never really lost although unfortunately a tendancy to throw optimistic passes and some dreadful ball handling, impinged on the one way traffic. A scrum penalty, good line out, a Scholey burst up the middle and scumhalf Atkins scampered in by the posts for a try converted by Cusack. (7-7). After a messy restart where Scunthorpe were penalised Atkins again made a good break before the home side were penalised again. York took a tap, went blind, saw winger Ashman break well before linking to Stockton and Scholey for Atkins to cross again for a fine try converted by Cusack. (7-14). From the restart Stockton drove forward well and when stopped the home side was penalised. Again Atkins went for the tap, was scragged unlawfully and Scunthorpe were reduced to 14. Cusack found touch and at the ensuing line out Scunthorpe were again penalised for taking out the man in the air. York were now very close again but some appalling handling saw the position lost and scrum awarded to the home side. At this point York lost hooker Consterdine with an ankle injury and Coe substituted, but in no way did this lesson the domination of the York pack. In fact from the next scrum York finally put a move together which saw Elliot over for a try converted by Cusack. (7-21). There followed a scrappy period of play the only thing holding York back was bad handling and passing! Scunthorpe had odd incursions into York territory and on one occasion a full stretch Cusack and a fabulous cover tackle by Ashman prevented a certain try. However shortly afterwards following good forays by winger Ashman and also Scholey, York again saw a flowing move rounded off by Fothergill for an unconverted try, but a bonus point score. (7-26). Almost immediately York were at it again, on the back of the dominant scrum, we saw Cusack find his winger Elliot with a delicate forward chip, for a further unconverted try. ( 7-31). From the restart Scunthorpe got close to the York line and when York were penalised at the scrum, the home side kicked for the corner and then a good rolling maul, saw them drive over for a try converted by Clark. ( 14-31). This was the halftime score.

The second half started almost exactly as the first had done with Scunthorpe attacking and York losing possession. York’s defence conceded a penalty, Scunthorpe went for the corner and with another rolling maul scored an unconverted try. (19-31). As in the first half York were driving their support to distraction. Dropped and wild passes repeatedly saw promising moves break down and allowed the home side to stay in the game. A good high ball take by Davies allowed Cusack to find a great tactical touch but York were then penalsed for pushing early at the scrum, when clearly that was not necessary with the dominance they enjoyed. However any real fear that Scunthorpe would score next and push for a one score game was removed when Coe made a great interception, drove forward well, enabling Cusack to find a good tactical position. Scunthorpe were then penalised and penalised again as they impeded a tap from Atkins which left them with a man sin binned. York chose to scrummage and Maud was over for a try converted by Cusack. (19-38). York were in overall control and but for giving away penalties on the ground, knocking on etc the score could have rocketed as the home side struggled to get out of their half. However following a further Scunthorpe infringement the York scrum went over again with Maud taking the credit and Davies converting.(19-45).

York really should have simply put the game to bed and if it had not been for knocks-on etc., they would have been out of sight. However the tendency to relax has afflicted York too often and sure enough with about ten minutes to play, scrappy play saw Renolds across for the home side for an unconverted try. (24-45). This try provided Scunthorpe with a bonus point and lifted their spirits so much so that with the last move of the game they were through under the posts for a converted try to make the final score 31-45.

York’s two wins on the bounce has lifted them into 6th position in the league but begs the question as to what this side’s potential is if they could concentrate on their skills for a full 80 minutes.