York travelled to Yarnbury with yet again a much changed side. In spite of having to make many positional and personnel changes and playing into a stiff breeze, York got off to a good start. Repelling early Yarnbury pressure, they raced into an early lead. After 23 minutes they found themselves 14 nil ahead, after tries from Atkin and Davies were both converted by Dawes. Both tries had resulted from Yarnbury attacks breaking down, when passes were intercepted firstly by McClure and then by York skipper Fox. On each occasion good follow up and support being the key.

York were again soon on the offensive and were deep in the Yarnbury half, when a badly judged kick through, was gathered by the Yarnbury defence. Several passes later, winger Gomersall received the ball 45 yards out. The York defence was non-existent as he scored in the corner. Conversion missed 5-14. The game was scrappy and penalties were being conceded on both sides. On 33 minutes York lost centre Speck for 10 minutes when he was yellow carded. The resulting penalty allowed Yarnbury to bring play to the York 22 where from the subsequent lineout and driving maul they scored wide out. Conversion added 12-14.The home team now had the bit between their teeth and would again take advantage of poor York tackling to run 75 yards and snatch a 19-14 half time lead. The one man deficit was costing York.

With the breeze at their backs York should have been in the ascendancy. It would however be 10 minutes before York would touch the ball in the 2nd half. From the kick off Yarnbury gathered and through good hands and poor York tackling, put winger Childs in the clear, who ran 50 yards virtually unopposed. York again kick off and again the home team immediately scored, moving the ball 60 yards and again 4-5 missed tackles by the York defence. 31-14.York kicked off again and were soon under pressure. Three penalties to the home side brought play to the York 10 yard line. A kick to the corner from the 3rd penalty brought a line out to Yanbury on the York 5 yard line. To York’s credit and not for the first time, the valiant work by skipper Fox, enabled York to drive Yarnbury back. The resulting turnover allowed scrumhalf Atkin to clear down field, York hands had finally touched the ball. However play came straight back into the visitors half, where York conceded their 6th penalty of the half, allowing fly half Pound to add points 34-14.

It wasn’t until the 16th minute that York were able to gain a foot hold in the home 22, a scrum 10 yards out had Yarnbury going backwards, the scrum collapsed, the ref deemed it deliberate. Penalty try, Dawes conversion 34-21. York could possibly see a way back into the game. York again forced play into the home 22. A York line followed, Fox took the throw, whistle blown, Yarnbury penalty, York illegally blocking. York had now conceded 10 second half penalties. York though still hadn’t given up, and on 36 minutes were awarded a scrum close to the home side line. Britland at no 8 controlling the ball as the pack drove over, conversion missed. 34-26. York’s hope of snatching victory however were soon dashed, as from the kick off the home side recovered the ball and with York again missing numerous tackles, easily crossed the York line. Final score 39 -26.