York travelled to Bradford Salem for only their 2nd game in five weeks. Once again they were forced to make changes through unavailability. Pre match discussion with York’s coaching team, reported good moral and a team up for the challenge in front of them. Salem’s pitch is well known for being a “mud patch”, however credit to the home teams ground staff, as it held up pretty well. It was to play a major part in the way the game was to be played.

York had the advantage of the slope in the first half but were very soon on the defence. Salem’s first attack saw their back line effectively move the ball through several pairs of hands only for full back Belcher to be tackled 5 yards short by the covering York defence. The resulting ruck allowing York to clear their line. York’s first attack came from No 8 Britland who picked up from behind the York pack and made excellent ground, unfortunately support was a little slow and any opportunity lost. York’s next incursion came at the hands of York’s second row Benson, arguably to be York’s man of the match, when he broke 30 yards deep into the heart of the Salem half. The home team penalised at the ruck allowing York fly half Hessay, his first attempt at goal. The attempt, which was a kick the young fly half will not want to repeat, was thankfully not a sign of what was to come.

York again brought play into the Salem half, allowing Hessay his 2nd kick at goal in 5 minutes. This time from 35 yards, the kick sailed between the posts. Then came a period of sustained Salem pressure but resolute York defence restricting Salem to a penalty, courtesy of 15 Belcher. 3 all after 25 minutes. From the restart, York players got in front of the kicker, allowing a Salem scrum and the opportunity to keep the pressure on the visitors. York however, who had been edging the scrums, took the ball against the head and moved quickly into the Salem 22. The pressure was short lived, when they were penalised, allowing Salem to clear their lines. York took the next line against the head and drove deep into the home 22, where they were again penalised. The crowd at the reporter’s side of the field couldn’t understand why. It transpired that York had committed foul play, resulting in prop Rutherford been sent off for alleged stamping.

York would play the next 50 minutes with 14 men. Having lost their prop, they were forced to make changes. Norris came back on at prop, with back row Bowers having to make way. Down to 14 men, York should have been “under the cosh”, however excellent team spirit and tenacity meant they would spend the last 10 minutes of the half firmly camped in the Salem half. The pressure again allowing York 10 Hessay to hit a well struck penalty from 35 yards. York led 6 -3 at half time.The pitch was cutting up and York down to 14 men, would be up against it in the second half. And so it proved, initially, York would spend the first 20 minutes on the back foot, during which time they would lose influential back row Parker. To be replaced by Mortimer, who was to be an inspiration to the York 14. York repelled attack after attack with tenacious tackling and when they did get the ball, strong running into the heart of the Bradford defence, with Fox, Benson, and Mortimer to the fore. Against the run of play, York brought play into their opponents half, where the home side infringed allowing Hessay his 4th attempt from 30 yards, again given the conditions, a superbly hit penalty. 9-3 York. Salem quickly on the attack brought play into the York 22 but again the York defence held strong, restricting the home side to a penalty. Belcher converting from under the posts, 9-6.

In all their other games this season, when York had been under this much pressure, they had capitulated and subsequently gone on to lose the game. Today however, their resolve was so apparent, that maybe just maybe, they could hold on and win this game.They would however have to soak up more Salem pressure and were aided by bad Salem decision making. Why, you could hear the Salem supporters ask, did they not take a kick at goal from penalties on 2 occasions? York forced play back into the Salem half, where a resulting scrum allowed Hessay to place a cross field kick behind the Salem defence. York centre Newitt, quickly chased through, the pace in which he arrived surprising the home defence. A quick kick on and Newitt pounced on the loose ball, scoring York’s first and decisive try. Again the sure boot of Hessay adding the 2 points, 16-6 the game was won.
From the restart Salem were again on the attack but yet again the York defence held firm. Salem again forcing a penalty, surely the home side would kick at goal and take the losing bonus but again they chose to run. York’s defence held firm, possession was won, the ball cleared to touch, game won.

York have shown gradual improvement in their recent games against opposition many places above them in the league. Today they produced their most tenacious performance of the season. The team’s resilience in very difficult conditions was a credit to them. Defence was continually turned into attack mainly through their ability to keep their shape under extreme pressure. More performances of this nature will surely see them climb the league in the coming weeks and months.