In low winter sun, York travelled to neighbours and long-time rivals Selby. York started the day third in the league table but joint on points with second place West Leeds and were looking to consolidate their good performances by finishing the calendar year in the play-off spot. Interestingly, the Selby programme highlighted tries scored and conceded across the league so far. Bridlington top both tables with York second in the tries scored and third best in tries conceded, backing up the full league table. The hosts have a had a disappointing season by their own standards, with a raft of junior players being drafted into the squad and seemingly struggling to retain a consistent match day 18. They are currently in the relegation battle at the foot of the table but are hopeful for a more consistent second half of the season.
York fielded a strong side with Toby Atkin and Tom Newitt returning to the backs, bringing strength, speed and guile. The forwards remained unchanged from last week, where they put in a committed industrial performance.

McClure got the game underway, chipping the ball midway into the Selby half. The opening phases saw the home side retain the ball but unable to make any significant impact into York’s half. A penalty for a York player being offside gave Selby more ground but they were unable to use it effectively. The difference in the two sides was evident as soon as York had the ball, with their strike runners making ground quickly. Goulding and Forbes leading the charge deep into the Selby 22. But for a few silly mistakes (not holding on to the ball correctly in contact and a flanker trying to chip the ball) York would have converted their pressure into points earlier. The first score came as a canter by captain-reliable Fox- resulted in an overlap on the right and the returning Newitt was one of many on hand who could have scored out wide. Davies was close but not close enough with the conversion 0 – 5. As well as having the dominance with the ball in hand, York took control of the scrum and took possession from the first of four balls won against the head. York’s superior fire power now had the possession they needed but still lacked some of the fluency needed to convert it to points. Added to this Selby were gallant in defence and refused to submit. Eventually a misjudged clearing kick by a Selby defender landed clean in the hands of Will Atkin, who took the most of the opportunity to score a well finished try in the left corner. Conversion missed, York extended their lead to 10 – 0.Some strong running in mid-field by the bullocking Benson drew a penalty. From the resulting line-out, Benson made more yards on a well-executed peel, eventually allowing Goulding to score York’s third try. Davies converted from out-wide to stretch to York 17 – 0 up. To their credit, Selby refused to submit and a rare visit into the York half drew a penalty within striking distance. Converted they removed the indignity of being ‘nilled’ at home 3 – 17.York secured the bonus point before half time with another strong run by the influential Goulding picking up form the base of the scrum. Neat hands to Newitt who made more ground before the ball returned to Goulding for his second score in ten minutes. Again, the tight angle beat Davies and the try remained unconverted. As the half time whistle went, York were ahead 22 – 3.

Selby continued to put in the effort in front of the home crowd and make a game of it in the second half but as York secured good ball, they cut free. However, silly handling mistakes and slow ball from the base of the breakdowns limited York’s scoring. The first try of the second half came as Newitt showed his class as he collected the ball on the 10 metre line and beat two defenders on a wide arc with speed and strength to score an excellent individual effort. Unconverted; 3 – 27. Newitt got his third and York’s 6th as a scrum just in York’s half released Goulding and simple hands between Atkin and McClure released the rampaging Newitt, now operating in the centre. Again, the usually pin-point accurate Davies just pushed the ball the wrong side of the posts from out wide; York 32 – Selby 3. As Selby tired in the closing phases of the game, York continued to push and dominate. Benson on another trademark charge allowed the ball to move wide to Will Atkin who was beaten only by the touchline. The final score went to Newitt, bagging his fourth try as the ball came from the scrum and clean hands allowed him to step inside, then outside the defenders to score in the corner. The final score 37 – 3.Newitt was particularly impressive today with his four tries (his absence last week was evident and the push for the bonus point may have been easier with his pace). Goulding and Benson both put in excellent shifts with strong running, regularly breaking tackles. A last word must go to the unlucky Davies who only got one of the seven conversions, a strike rate well below his usual standard; never have so many failing kicks gone so close! Luckily today, the points were not significant on the outcome of the game.

York will be rightly pleased with the win and the five points, signing off for the year with a good result on the road. The win secures their position in the league, equal on points with West Leeds (who must have also secured five points away at Heath) but just behind them as West Leeds have 10 wins in the season to York’s 9. Bridlington look likely to win the league, currently 18 points clear but there is all to play for to get the second play-off spot. As the pitches dry-out in the new year, York should be confident that their fitness and pace should put them in good stead.