York entertained Acklam this Saturday on a mild, still afternoon, firm underfoot that allowed York to secure the bonus point win early into the game. The visitors have had a tough season so far - their enforced move to the competitive Yorkshire One league, out of the more neighbourly Durham and Northumberland One, sees them propping up the table with only one win in seven. York on the other hand have been slowly building momentum, and bar defeats at the two seaside towns of Scarborough and Bridlington, have looked good for their four wins and one draw.

Within the first five minutes of the game it was clear that Acklam would remain competitive upfront but when York moved the ball quickly to the wide channels, there would be opportunity. A double hit by Sam Potrykus and Shane Goulding gave the home side turnover ball, releasing the backs. At the second time of asking, York were too much for Acklam to handle and a simple but effective opening try was finished off by Adam Penistone after clean hands by George Davies and Tom Newitt. Davies then converted from out wide to give York the 7 – 0 lead. Within five minutes York had exploited the same right-hand flank as a scrum in centre field gave York good attacking possession. Again, Penistone crossed the line and Davies converted to double the lead. York’s defence was matching their attack as Acklam were given little opportunity to gain traction. The third try allowed the forwards to show some neat handling as Fox recycled cleanly to Eric Hall who in turn released number eight Goulding to score. Another very good conversion by Davies moved York on to 21 – 0.
It was clear that the home side had the upper hand in most departments and were set on securing the win and the bonus point as soon as possible. Clinically, York were able to score the fourth try before the half hour as a series of phases and solid control in the Acklam 22 gave them their reward. Liam Hessay was the man to finally cross the line but it could have been anyone of the York 15 who were all involved in the play. Again, Davies was deadly with the boot and converted. 28 – 0. Acklam remained competitive and used the slight lull in York’s edge to mount their first real attack. A penalty gave them a line out deep in York’s half and a simple but effective old-school front ball catch and drive saw them creep forward. A York infringement allowed Acklam a second penalty; line-out; catch and drive, this time to within a metre of the try line. A second surge saw them over the line but the referee decided the ball was held up, cruelly denying Acklam the score. The last ten minutes of the first half saw some less than clinical play by both sides. York missed a clutch of opportunities as final passes missed their targets and clearing kicks by Acklam failed to relieve the pressure. Lewis Hannibal and hooker Jack Starkey continued to work well and kept the momentum going forward, even if the final execution was missing by the team overall. The first half came to a slightly disappointing close as the usually ever reliable captain Chris Fox failed to hold on to a ball that would have seen him canter home.

York, playing down the slope in the second half, needed to regain control and ensure that they didn’t allow Acklam back into the match. Unfortunately, it didn’t start to plan as the visitors got the first points of the half, converting a penalty from 30 metres out; 28 – 3. The home team did find their edge on 45 minutes and started to do all the basics well. Becoming dominant at the scrum, (especially pleasing as prop Dan Coe had gone off injured in the first half and youngster Starkey and his two props had to play the full remainder of the game) York were able to control the pace of the restarts. Acklam tried to use the boot to gain position but York fullback Davies matched his success from the kicking tea with an excellent 65 metre run in open play. Beating 5 defenders he glided to within 10 metres of the line before feeding Will Atkin to score the first try of the second period. Davies converted, 35 – 3.York’s next score came through the forwards, setting up the score from a 30 metre driving maul, marshalled expertly by scrum half Toby Atkin. The resulting penalty from Acklam infringements gave York the opportunity to set up another driving maul and this time Hannibal crashed over. This sixth try was left unconverted as Davies’ magic deserted him for the first time. 40 – 3. Will Atkin scored as York’s superior fitness was starting to show. Marc Benson, Starkey and Hannibal all carried well to set up the scrum half’s score. Davies re-found his range to convert. 47-3. Not to be outdone by the forwards, York’s backs also showed their ability to make good metres as Tom Newitt, now on the wing, made two strong runs down the right-hand flank. The second of these, after a strong charge by Goulding, resulted in a try. Davies added the extra’s. 54 – 3.With only ten minutes left, the pace and intensity of the game had dipped as the result was clearly beyond dispute. York scored two more tries, with captain Fox barging over for a well-deserved score and Toby Atkin, providing the support every good scrum half should provide to score under the posts. Davies converted both, 68 – 3. Acklam showed their fighting spirit and raised the biggest cheer of the afternoon as they pushed for one last effort and got their reward with a try. The game ended 68 -8.

York should be very pleased with the result and the ten tries scored. Whilst there were periods of the game where they lacked control and missed several opportunities, overall they gave a well-rounded display. It was clear that York’s fitness gave them an additional edge, the forwards giving strong performances late into the second half. Davies had an excellent day, converting nine out of ten tries and producing some classy runs. Similarly, Newitt showed his skill with some strong runs. Most impressive was the young hooker Starkey who played a central role for the full 80 minutes, making some solid carries in the loose as well as playing his part in the tight.The result moves York up to fourth in the league. Next week sees them travel away to Bradford Salem who always provide a stern test, but if York can continue the form they are cultivating they have an excellent opportunity to secure their position in the league.