York travelled to old foes Bridlington for their second away trip to the seaside this year. Again fielding a changed team from last week they today fielded their 34 & 35 players in a first team shirt this season This game unfortunately would also go the same way as their recent trip to Scarborough, losing to a Bridlington team currently sat at the top of Yorkshire One.

On a blustery day it was Bridlington who would have first use of the wind and would very quickly take a 3 point lead after their 10 made his first break of several in the game. York were penalised and Bridlington slotted over a simple penalty. York immediately brought play into the home half and after several passages of play they were awarded a penalty, McClure’s attempt drifted wide. A period of York pressure would follow, that saw the visitors camped in the home sides half for a good 10 minutes but Bridlington’s defence held firm. Coe came on for an injured Norris. Further pressure would follow with Davies in the York centre, making several good breaks only to be thwarted by the strong Bridlington defence. York’s next attack saw the ball come to winger Dunlop who again made good ground. Unfortunately, this would be his last passage of play as he retired injured, to be replaced by Hargreaves.

The game swayed to and forth with neither team really threatening the others line. It would be York who scored next when on 30 minutes McClure made it 3-3 after the home side handled in the ruck. More York pressure again took play into the home teams half, the ball was spun wide, a miss pass was thrown only to be intercepted by the Bridlington 10 Welch, who raced 55 yards to score in the corner. Conversion missed 8-3 Bridlington. It would be Bridlington however who would have the last say of the half when after a spell of intense pressure, York were penalised in front of their posts the simple penalty making the half time score 11-3.
Bridlington extended their lead early in the second half when after another York penalty the home side brought play inside the York 22. From the line out, a well worked move suckered the York pack, allowing an easy stroll over wide out, conversion missed 16-3. York made a further interchange bringing on Bowers for Hannibal. Again play went from end to end with neither team been able to add to their scores. It wasn’t until the 60th minute when York found themselves in the Bridlington 22 that the ball was spun wide for winger Penistone to score wide out. 16 – 8 with the conversion missed.

York appeared briefly to be in the ascendancy but a further penalty for a late tackle on the fly half Welch (the inspiration behind the home sides attack) allowed them again to bring play into the York 22. Once again Welch orchestrated the attack, quick hands again allowing the home side to break the York defence and score wide out. With the conversion missed the score would remain 21-8 at full time.

York put up a spirited performance today but were always going to come off second best. Debutant Penistone had a solid game in defence and with the ball in his hands. Davies playing in the un-accustomed position of centre, looked dangerous all afternoon. Dawes also playing out of position at 8 had a good game. McClure had to tackle his heart out at 10. Next week we play high flying West Leeds currently 2nd in the league. If York can get a settled side, then we will pose all in this league a greater threat than we did today. We have players returning next week, however if we are to get that settled side, greater commitment is needed by some, to help the coaching team get some consistency.