York played Yarnbury in an excellent game of regional rugby today. York started the game third, Yarnbury eleventh of fourteen in the Yorkshire 1 table. York were missing their regular captain, Chris Fox, Darren Rutherford moved to the second row and was captain. Chris Peace played at scrum-half, Sam Potrykus and Tom Newitt played in the centres and Campbell Thomson started at open-side flanker.

The start of the game was difficult for both teams. The soft ground made it hard to change direction, retain balance and move quickly. There were also handling errors by both teams, perhaps due to the impact of the cold on the player’s hands. George Davies kicked a penalty for York to begin the scoring, 3-0. The scrums were stable with neither side establishing dominance during the game. Will Atkin scored the first try for York after fifteen minutes. The York back line passed accurately to create room for the score in the corner. The conversion was missed, 8-0. Yarnbury came more in to the game, they enjoyed a spell of possession but York defended well. The game also had bite, from both teams. The referee spoke to both captains after twenty five minutes. Will Marshall (15) kicked a penalty for Yarnbury, 8-3. The cold rain fell more consistently as the half progressed. The game was competitive. It was, at this point, a forwards game. York attacked but the ball was intercepted well by Yarnbury fly-half, George Oldridge. His momentum carried him away from the York players and sixty metres down the field before he passed to winger, Jack Brown, to score. The conversion was good, 8-10.The referee spoke to the captains again nearing half-time. York winger, Hugh Nicholson was yellow carded shortly after this. Yarnbury attacked, their number eight, Adam Batson, handled the ball well from the base of a retreating scrum and Jack Brown scored his second try of the game for Yarnbury. Will Marshall missed the conversion, 8-15. York had a chance to make the scores level before half-time with a driving maul but Yarnbury defended well. James Cryan, the Yarnbury flanker was resilient. 8-15.

The second half continued in the same manner, both teams were playing good competitive rugby. Shane Goulding and Russ Bowers were working hard for York. The referee was clear and firm. Tom Newitt got a yellow card for indiscipline. Sam Potrykus and Neil McClure communicated well. Yarnbury kicked a penalty, 8-18. Will Atkin then scored again for York. There were several secure phases of possession, good passing and handling in the back-line and Will scored near to the corner. The conversion was missed, 13-18. It was an intense game, Campbell Thomson, the York flanker was tackling well. George Oldridge was playing well at fly-half for Yarnbury. Following a drive by the York pack, Dan Coe who had just come on as a replacement, scored for York. The conversion was successful to put York into the lead, 20-18. George Davies then kicked a long penalty taking the score to 23-18. Yarnbury replied with a penalty of their own, 23-21. James Cryan came off for Yarnbury with an injury followed by Tom Newitt for York. York now played with more freedom which suits them. The crowd were engaged in the game. Yarnbury had a penalty kick to win the game, it was forty five metres out, the ball hit the post and the match was over.