York travelled to fellow mid table team Old Brodleians with the potential outcome of the game not really having a major impact on either sides season.

As such, there was relatively little to report from the first half; both sides had similar periods of possession brought to an end by either silly mistakes or solid defence by the opposition. Much of the play took place in the centre of the field with both teams cancelling out the other. Bar the odd break or string of phases, the only noteworthy incidents were a penalty a-piece that meant the teams went into the break all square on 3 each.

In contrast, the second half was much more entertaining with seven tries scored and the game swinging from one team to the other. York drew first blood with a second penalty to move them 3 – 6 up but the score acted only as the impetus for the home team to increase their energy levels. From the restart York carried strongly in to Old Brods half but the rampaging Rutherford was stumped as the ball was knocked from his grasp and defence turned into attack by the home side. Three phases were completed and an Old Brods outside back took an excellent ball back on the angle to cut through the York defence and cross for the first try of the afternoon. Converted, Old Brods led 10 – 6. The second try followed quickly with probably the best move of the game; some dubious defence by York allowed the lively Old Brods scrum half to make way too much ground. Supported ably by the number seven who acted as the link for the try to be scored under the posts. The lead now stretched to 17 – 6. York needed to switch on and compete with the home team in terms of intensity but failed to do this and continued Old Brods pressure led to their third try through their bulldozing prop. Conversion missed, the score was now 22 – 6. The game was in danger of slipping away from York at this point and Old Brods clearly thought they had the win in the bag. The York team reacted well though, a penalty set up a well-executed catch and drive from the lineout. Although the forwards did the heavy lifting, scrum half Johnson was on hand to dot over for the try. The conversion just wide, York had narrowed the score to 22 – 11.Old Brods stunned into action by the York score realised they needed to close the game down and successfully built pressure and eventually scored the fourth bonus point try, Without the conversion, their lead was 27 – 11. York weren’t finished though and with 10 minutes to play realised that an increase in intensity would pay dividends. Two more tries from close range driving were scored. First Johnson got his second off the back of a rolling maul and then number 8 Britland made short work of a gap in the Old Brods defence on the line to dive over. Excellent conversions by Dawes from both of the tries brought the scores to 27 – 25. The final minutes of the game were tense as the home team clung on to their narrow lead. York continued to bang on the door with their forwards carrying well. However, time and a penalty for holding on was to be the undoing of York and Old Brodleians were able to kick the ball dead to finish the game. Whilst the first half was fairly unspectacular, the second half was at least entertaining, if not a little frustrating at times. Both sides showed they could play when the intensity and application was in place.

York play their penultimate game of the season next week at home to Old Crossleyans. This will be the last home game of the season and a large partisan crowd is expected. A positive, entertaining game would be just the thing to close out the season, where the foundations of the new team and coaching set-up, look to develop well next season.