Under bright skies and on a near perfect paddock, York supporters were expectant after some mixed displays thus far this season. Whilst respectful of opponents, West Leeds, who having been promoted last season are already second in the league; the York faithful were hopeful that the glimpses of positive play from recent weeks could be stretched out to a full 80 minutes and a win secured. The home crowd were not disappointed, as York recorded a bonus point win and held their visitors to just two penalty kicks.

West Leeds started the brightest, showing from the off that they could spread the ball with ease across their back line. The opening 10 minutes saw York doing the bulk of the defending and West Leeds pressurising York, especially in the scrum where York worryingly came off second best. The home team gave away a series of penalties in these opening exchanges as the momentum mounted against them. West Leeds were first on the scoreboard as Brakewell converted one of the penalties to put West Leeds three points up.
From the restart, York fumbled the ball and allowed West Leeds’ nippy fullback to make good ground. Fortunately for York, his pace also took him away from his support and being isolated at the breakdown, York were rewarded with a penalty. The resulting lineout gave York their first real attacking opportunity. A neat move with Marc Benson on the wrap-around nearly resulted in a try from the first phase. York held onto possession and went through a number of close drives, Josh Parker carrying strongly but Benson finished what he had started and went over in the corner for York’s first try of the day. Neil McClure hit an excellent conversion to take the lead 7 - 3.

Another fumble at the restart saw York give up the ball and put themselves under pressure close to their own line. West Leeds utilised their dominance in the scrum and drew a series of penalties putting York under the cosh. Scrambled defence and less than perfect game management saw the visitors spin the ball wide and ultimately into touch rather than convert the pressure. Whilst York escaped this attack, they conceded a kickable penalty on 23 minutes and Brakewell converted to close the gap; 7 – 6. As the first half drew to a close, York started to play with much more fluency. It’s possible that the 35 players used already this season had stifled their continuity and it took the opening 25 minutes for the home team to fully settle in. They had some good attacking phases with the returning Tom Newitt causing the West Leeds a headache every time he got the ball. Mounting pressure by York forced mistakes in the West Leeds ranks and a tip-tackle by winger Marshall saw him get 10 minutes rest in the bin and McClure slot the penalty to move York 10 – 6 up.

York now started to play some good flowing rugby with both forwards and backs running with purpose and direction. A fumble by the West Leeds backs on 33 minutes gave York the opportunity to turn defence into attack and Newitt glided up-field. Some neat hands between Newitt and Hugh Nicholson, led to Newitt crossing in the corner for York’s second try. The conversion unsuccessful, the score now 15 – 6. A much better restart with backrow Jon Dawes showing some of the skills utilised as a fly-half, allowing York to maintain the pressure deep in the visitor’s half. Lewis Hannibal led the charge with an excellent run and once the forwards had got York within 10 metres, Newitt again showed his pace with an excellently cut angle to cross under the posts for his second try. McClure added the extra’s to give York the lead 22 – 6 going into half time.

As the second period started, West Leeds were back up to 15 but the 10 minutes with a man in the sinbin had seen them ship 15 points and given York the space to acquire the fluidity and confidence to gain control of the match. The home backs were showing good pace with the tanned Newitt looking very sharp and McClure and George Davies looking equally assured. West Leeds on the other-hand had gone off the boil slightly, even their scrum had less of an impact after the introduction of Will Norris by York on 25 minutes.West Leeds were unwilling to let York have it all their own way and as with the first half, started with good energy. The third quarter of the game was a bit of an arm wrestle as both teams defended well and gave little away. West Leeds had the chance to add points from a penalty but the ball sailed just wide. A couple of forward passes at crucial times then stopped York from releasing their backs.

However, the York forwards stood up to the challenge and midway through the second half, their desire and fitness saw them gain control of the stalemate and secure dominance over their opposition.It started with some excellent carries by Hannibal and Parker, ultimately winning a penalty to give them a lineout deep in the West Leeds 22. Captain Chris Fox secured the ball and the other seven forwards marched forward in a well drilled drive. 20 metres later, they were over the line and Parker crashed down for an excellent score. The bonus point secured, McClure added the extra two to make it 29 – 6.York were now in full control, West Leeds seemingly unable to cope with the additional pace York were playing with. York continued to drive well in midfield through Parker, Dawes and Rutherford, drawing more penalties and securing field position. From a series of neat forward drives, Newitt showed excellent footwork and strength to crash over from 10 metres to secure his hatrick. McClure secured the conversion and York led 34 – 6.As the game drew to a close, West Leeds lost another man to the bin after a disagreement over how quickly a tap penalty could be taken but the game was over by this point and York drew out the final minutes with continued control.

This was York’s best performance so far this season, working hard for the full 80 minutes by all 15 players on the paddock. Whilst Newitt shone brightly and the back row trio showed excellent commitment, it was indeed a team performance. The opening 20 minutes was maybe a little disjointed at times but the following 60 minutes showed what York can do, playing with pace and purpose from 1 to 15. An excellent day’s work and the result to push on from for the rest of the season.