In very windy conditions, York played host to Old Brods. With honours even last year and both teams currently lying in mid-table, it was always likely to be a close affair but the home side had hoped to push on from their previous home win against Hullensians last time out. It was not meant to be as the home side were reduced to 14 men for much of the game and failed to convert long periods of possession and pressure.

Old Brodleians had the advantage of the wind in the first half and had most of the ball. York stood strong and defended well with the forwards putting in much of the heavy work. Darren Rutherford in particular put a number of big hits in to halt the Old Brods progression. Whilst the visitors had the advantage of the weather, they were often on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle in the opening exchanges and York were able to relieve the pressure.

On 25 minutes, York were awarded yet another penalty but in the ensuing scuffle, the York scrum half Johnson was found to have stamped on an Old Brods player who was holding on to the ball and slowing down play. The referee showed Johnson a red card and reversed the penalty. With Chris Peace moving to scrumhalf, York had to reorganise and adapt to being a man down.

The red card incident did not have an impact on the number of penalties as the referee continued to penalise infringements without gaining control. Another penalty gave York a lineout deep in the opposition half. Britland took the ball at the tail of the line and made good ground but ultimately the play was halted by infringements and the referee’s whistle. This time, the penalty was within kicking range and Dawes was able to put York ahead. Old Brods hit back and the accumulation of pressure told as the visitors worked a number of tight phases to put their replacement Number 8 over for a try in the corner (the conversion was missed). At the half time whistle, whilst being a man down, York were only 3 – 5 down.

Although at a disadvantage in terms of men on the pitch, York did have the wind with them in the second half. The home side did look as if they would use this to their advantage as the wind and their dominant scrum gave them the majority of the ball and much of the territory. An excellent run by winger Nicholson out of defence, showed what York were capable of when things clicked. Even Old Brods tried to help York as their centre was sin-binned for infringing at the breakdown. Unfortunately, York seemed unable to convert the pressure as all too often, the last pass didn’t go to hand or they fell foul of the referee’s whistle.

As the second period developed York managed to build some momentum and pressure and force the defending team into giving away a series of kickable penalties. Kicker Dawes was unable to convert, with one kick hitting the post and another going just wide in the wind. York kept banging on the door and there were some strong carries by Britland, Proctor and Blain in particular but ultimately they were unable to work out how to get across the whitewash.

As the game closed it slipped further away from the home team; they lost Britland to a yellow card for infringing at the breakdown and allowed Old Brods to extend their lead through the ensuing penalty. Unfortunately in the penultimate play, York also lost out on the losing bonus point as the visitors scored a second try.

York will rightly be disappointed with the result. There were areas of positivity for the side, the scrum and the defence were both solid and for much of the game, they coped well, being a man down but ultimately the overall game management was found lacking. Next week York travel to Old Crossleyans, who lie below them in the table. Whilst a win will be the aim, the team will want to prove their ability to manage a game.