York RUFC v Doncaster Phoenix

York welcomed Doncaster who arrived having won all of their 3 matches played and topping the table whereas the hosts had lost their opening game but won the last 2. York had a strong side and having beaten the visitors both home and away last season were hoping to register their third win of the season. Despite the heavy rain earlier in the week the pitch was in good condition and the weather dry and fair and for those of us who struggle in very warm weather, thankfully cooler.

Doncaster started the stronger side and took the game to York, they retained possession and after 3 minutes worked an overlap on the left and the winger took full advantage, chipping the ball over the last line of defence collecting the ball and touching down in the corner. A good individual and team try. The conversion was missed. The score 0-5. From the kick off York went on the attack and taking full advantage of a penalty kicked to the corner and scored after a catch and drive. Archie Fothergill coming up with the ball. The conversion was missed, 5-5 after 8 minutes. York dominated territory and possession for the remainder of the half. The forwards particularly the props driving well and taking the ball over the gain line and linking well with the backs. Doncaster conceded penalties, from one, York kicked to the corner but lost the lineout, from another again kicked to the corner but conceded a penalty which allowed the visitors to clear their lines. York however continued to attack and after 26 minutes the Doncaster centre was yellow carded. York took full advantage, again kicked to the corner and whilst the forwards were unable to score the ball went along the line and the winger Mitch Ashman touched down in the corner after 28 minutes. The conversion was missed, the score now 10-5.

Doncaster’s kick off went straight into touch, but the resulting scrum went down and the York hooker and captain Ross White had to leave the field due to injury. This didn’t deter York who continued to attack and after several phases of play the ever-alert Toby Atkin broke from the 22metre line, eluded the defenders and scored under the posts, Harry Shackleton kicked the conversion to take the score to 17-5 after 35 minutes. York ended the half looking for further scores, Doncaster conceded penalties due to a strong York scrum, but they could not add to the score. The last kick of the half was a missed penalty from 35 metres. Overall, a very satisfactory half for the hosts and particularly their discipline, conceding only 5 penalties to Doncaster’s 10 which reflected the amount of possession and territory they enjoyed and the pressure they were able to exert.

The home supporters were looking forward to the second half which started as the first had ended with York pressure and territory and Doncaster conceding penalties leading after 8 minutes to a further yellow card to the visitors. York then battered the visitor’s line, but it was not until 15 minutes had passed that they were able to score a try, Archie Fothergill again the scorer. The conversion was missed. 22-5 to the home side. From the kick off York came back on the attack with good interplay between the forwards and backs and after 20 minutes the pressure told, and Jonty Atkinson ran in from the 22 to add 5 points. George Davies taking over the kicking duties added a further 2 points from the conversion to take the score to 29-5.

York then seemed to drop down a gear and Doncaster took advantage spending most of the remainder of the game in York’s half apart from the occasional foray into the visitor’s 22 which they defended well. York’s defence was well organised and kept the visitors at bay but with 5 minutes to go a York player was given a yellow card and after 2 minutes the pressure eventually told and they conceded a try in the corner which the visitors could not convert to make the final score 29-10.

Overall, a very good York team performance played at pace to which all the players contributed against a robust and physical Doncaster. A strong scrum gave the team a sound platform and the line out generally went well. Good discipline resulted in very few penalties being conceded which is vital in this league. York also picked up a bonus point. The win takes them to second in the league behind Harrogate who many pundits think will finish top. Next week they travel to Driffield who are third in the league where hopefully they can pick up their second away win of the season.