The weather had certainly taken a decidedly wintry turn as the two side took the field. Although dry and bright, the cross field wind was biting and tested the resolve of the crowd. Hullensians started the more positive, playing downhill they forced York to defend for most of the first 10 minutes. As with previous weeks, York were able to rely on a solid scrum and used this possession to clear their lines more than once. An infringement by York at the breakdown on 15 minutes gave Hullensians the chance to kick for the corner. A tidy lineout and drive allowed their forwards to cross for the first score. The conversion missed from out wide, York were 0 – 5 down.

This score was the kick that York needed as they started to work harder to keep hold of the ball and go through the phases. Better concentration allowed them to progress steadily up field and a cleaver chip over the top by Dawes resulted in a lineout deep in the Hullensians 22. York continued to pressure the visitors and stole the ball at the line and set up a driving maul. As with the scrum, the York driving maul showed dominance and in this instance allowed scrumhalf Johnson to touch down an excellent forwards try. Dawes duly added the extras, giving York a 7 – 5 lead.

Unfortunately, York did not maintain their newfound concentration levels and fumbled the restart. This allowed Hullensians to work three quick phases where York defenders were too easily beaten by the impressive Bloomfield and ultimately Hullensians retook the lead with a second try. Again the conversion missed, York’s lead was reversed 7 – 10. This was York’s second wakeup call as they seemed to regather their composure and put together arguably their best 15 minutes of play this season. York’s second try was a wonderful team effort with the forwards working well in the tight and the backs executing simple passing to score. Fullback Davies made a good break out of his own half to start the play and then Dawes chipped a delicate ball that held up well in the wind and forced the Hullensians defender to concede the lineout. The forwards caught clean ball and set up a 20 meter drive. As the drive developed, scrumhalf Johnson joined the maul and winger Atkin showed his versatility to takeover directing the maul on. As the forwards neared the line, the ball was released through the backs and ultimately right wing Dunlop crossed for an excellent try. Dawes was unlucky with the conversion as his attempt from out wide, just missed. York’s lead restored; 12 – 10.

York continued to play well for the rest of the half, retaining possession well and allowing the backs to run with the ball in hand. As the half drew to a close, an opportunity for a third try was spurned as the centres Peace and Singleton failed to make the last pass stick. Luckily a second opportunity for Singleton arose and this time he showed his strength and speed to cross the line. Dawes converting, York went in to the break 17 – 10 up.

The second half wasn’t quite as engaging as the first but York managed to keep enough of a hold on the game that they rarely looked like they would relinquish the lead. Singleton scored a second try and York’s fourth, earning them the bonus point. Judging an interception and galloping half the pitch Singleton scored under the posts, allowing Dawes an easy attempt at the extra points. As the game drew to a close, York started to tire and a number of breakdowns weren’t as clean or as quick as they should have been. Hullensians managed a late try to end the score York 24 – Hullensians 15.

York will rightly be proud of this victory and more importantly, the performance. Hopefully it will act as the stimulus to kick on for the rest of the season. The whole team showed good character and put a solid shift in, the second rows of Fox and Benson having particularly industrious games. In the backs Dawes controlled the game well and his kicking from hand was excellent, Singleton and Atkin ran and defended strongly. Next week is a Saturday off as those still involved in the Shield competition play their second round games and then York will host Old Brodleians on the 5th December.