York travelled to Hullensian’s (Hull) knowing a tough game lay ahead of them against a Hull team currently sitting 4th in the league. Recent encounters have seen York edge ahead three to one, most recently a convincing win at home in November. At home though, Hull are normally formidable opposition.

Hull would take first advantage of the stiff breeze blowing down the field and right from the kick off, when York failed to gather the deep kick they were in the ascendancy. York would have to soak up 5 minutes of intense pressure, which they did admirably. It was Hull though who would score first when York with the ball in their hands for the first time were penalised. Hull 10 adding the simple penalty.
From the restart York would enter the Hull half for the first time on 10 minutes. Turnover ball allowing the visitors to go through numerous phases, before Mcclure made the incisive break feeding inside to Newitt who would cross for the first of his 4 tries this afternoon. Dawes adding the conversion.

Hull came straight back making easy inroads into the York half and after a short period of intense pressure the ball was spun wide allowing an easy score in the corner. Conversion missed 8-7 Hull. York came straight back at Hull and good turnover ball from the kick off allowed York 9 Atkin to break and feed the supporting Newitt for his second try. Dawes again adding the conversion. Again York brought play back into the Hull half this time forcing a penalty on the 22. Dawes attempt at goal drifted wide in a difficult breeze.

This time it was Hulls turn to turn on the pressure a long kick into the York 22. From the resulting York line out the ball was stolen, Hull drove at the York line and eventually after several phases they crashed over near the posts. Conversion added 15-14 Hull. York where again in the ascendancy but again ill-discipline by York gifting Hull a penalty allowed them to kick Deep into the York 22. The Hull line again brought pressure on York, and for a while it looked as though the defence would thwart Hull. A speculative kick and chase by Hull wing Langford was not dealt with, he collected and crossed wide out. Conversion missed.
York would have the last say in this half, they were becoming dominant in the scrum and with the 40 minutes up and on the attack, Hull were penalised. With a difficult kick at goal York chose the scrum. Hull again penalised again York chose the scrum, this was repeated again before York 8 Britland picked up fed to Atkin who crossed next to the post. Dawes adding the 2……20-21 York at half time.

The start of the second half was pretty much a repeat of the first, this time though York kicking off and camping in the Hull 22, but just like Hull in the first half pressure was not turned into points. It would however be York who would score first with the sound boot of Dawes adding 3 points from 38 metres after Hull had been penalised for slowing the ball down at the break down. 20-24 York.
Hull would score next again from York forward ill-discipline. Kicking deep into the corner and from the 5 yard line caught and drove over the York line wide out. 25-24. York’s attacking prowess today had been excellent and again they soon had Hull on the back foot, sustained pressure allowing the illusive Atkin to break free, again feeding Newitt who crossed virtually unopposed for his hat trick, Dawes adding the conversion 25-31 York.

York had the bit between their teeth and finally seemed to believe the game was there for the taking. Hull kick off, clean take by York, 3 drives forward, Atkin box kick, York winning the ball, quick hands allowing the inspirational Newitt to squeeze over in the corner for his 4th try 25-36 York. York weren’t finished and again soon had Hull under pressure deep in their own half. Hull again transgressing allowing Dawes to add a further 3 points from the resulting penalty. 25-39 York on 27 minutes.

Both sides were tiring and for the first time in the game there was no sign of an imminent score. It was York who would again be penalised and not for the first time this afternoon gave Hull easy access to their try line. York to their credit though didn’t give up their line easily but after a period of sustained pressure Hull crossed wide out. Conversion missed 30-39 York. York finished the game deep in the Hull 22 and when the final whistle blew, perhaps a fitting place, given the attacking prowess they had shown today.

A game won against a team that has been in the top 4 all season, again shows the progress York are making under the tutelage of Messrs’ Denham & Thomson. They are beginning to believe in themselves and each other. Once they can master their ill-discipline, games will be won far easier than this one was today. The attacking force they now possess will trouble all defences in this league. The pace at which they can turn defence into attack is admirable. Keep moving forward and we can look to next season with much promise