Unrelenting drizzle failed to dampen a spirited York as they overcame their visitors from Halifax, Heath RUFC, in the opening encounter of their Yorkshire 1 campaign. Missing several key players, enforced changes were made with new signing Luke Stockton and skipper Darren Rutherford filling in at second row, Josh Parker shifting over to No8, Tom Newitt moved to full back with the 13 berth awarded to colts product Will Atkin. In addition, last year's utility back Jon Dawes made his debut at 6 having decided to play in the forwards this season.

With adrenaline flowing, the opening kick off from the otherwise impressive Liam Hessay sailed straight into touch gifting Heath early possession; from the scrum, their backs ran the ball wide only to meet Campbell Thomson continuing from where he left off last season, with an excellent turnover earning York a penalty. Converted by Hessay from 30m out.The slippery ball caused problems for both sides along with the referee's interpretation of the new driving maul rule; however the visitors were the first to adapt as on 12 minutes flanker Downsborough scored following a 5m lineout catch and drive, 3-5. The lead was to be short lived as York came straight back on attack with a series of forward surges from which Thomson broke through midfield, off loaded to Liam Hessay who fed inside to Toby Atkin to scamper through the posts for the try, Hessay converted,10-5.

He was to be just wide with a further penalty attempt from 35m but then a series of York infringements swung the game towards the hefty visitors who pummelled their way towards the York try line with only fantastic defence preventing the try. Eric Hall came on for Stockton as the coaches wisely rotated their squad; York were now putting in several phases of good play with winger Hugh Nicholson just short of catching an astute Hessay kick to the Heath corner. Heath captured the York lineout ball and kicked deep into the York 20m only for Tom Newitt to spiral a superb kick straight back to the Heath 10m. York pressure continued with the scrum gaining dominance against the larger pack culminating in taking a Heath feed against the head; the ball was fed to Hessay who passed onto winger Will Dunlop who managed to shake off 3 defenders to slip over in the corner for a good try, Hessay was just wide with the conversion, half time 15-5.

York kicked off into a slight headwind with James Hartley on for Dan Coe at prop, an early foray into the Heath half earned a penalty on 35m, well slotted by Hessay, 18-5. This was to be the last time for nigh on 25 minutes that York would get out of their half as the visitors, to their credit, enjoyed territory and possession. The rain wasn't letting up thus causing knock-ons from both sides with York also conceding several penalties; luckily the home defence was more than a match for Heath's best efforts, with only a fine midfield break from centre Hinchcliffe causing consternation to the home crowd but not to the back defence, as he was wrapped up on the 10m. Ben Johnson replaced Will Atkin and Stockton swapped with Hall. With the incoming players straight into the defensive effort forcing the Heath attack to make mistakes under the constant pressure. Declining an easy penalty chance they again kicked to the 5m only for heads to drop as York stole the lineout and cleared to the halfway.

On 72 minutes York finally attacked deep into the Heath half with a thrilling breakout from Newitt who fed inside to Toby Atkin who was hauled down on the 10m line, from here the ball was fed to the stand side wing where Hessay and Newitt combined well to force a penalty on the 10m. Opting for a kick to the corner, the lineout was well won and Rutherford crashed over for an unconverted try, 23-5.York were saving their best for last; the ball was swept along the line to Dunlop who scorched up the far wing to the 10m, recycled ball was fed back down the line to the stand side from where Parker drew the last man and fed centre Gareth Singleton to crash over in the corner; Hessay converted from the touchline, full time, 30-5.

So, a very good performance against one of the divisions much fancied sides; it wasn't without fault with the rain causing problems and the understandable new season rustiness but at times we looked OK! Superb spirit and defence, a solid pack and at times rapier like backs, bodes well for the season ahead; enjoy your beer tonight boys but back to work on Tuesday night training as a difficult away fixture at Scarborough awaits.

Difficult to pick a man of the match as this report doesn't reflect the 1-18 effort put in by the players; Parker, Dawes and Thomson must have come close but head coach Lee Denham was delighted to choose young prop Sam Blain for a gargantuan effort in the scrum and the loose.