Match Report by Ian Hessay

York welcomed Scarborough to Clifton Park for an early season top of the table clash. The game kicked off in drizzly conditions, the opening exchanges were scrappy with both teams finding the greasy ball difficult to control.
York eventually managed to put several phases of play together resulting in a penalty for not rolling away, Dawes converted from 35m, 3-0 after nine minutes.
Possession changed hands on numerous occasions until Scarborough gained some ball control winning a penalty 20m out, a quick tap and go resulted in another penalty and a yellow card for Parker. Scarborough took a scrum and then tried to run the ball through their backs only to knock on and allow York to clear. Powerful ball carrying from Fox and Goulding moved York forward winning a penalty which Hessay kicked to touch. From the line out Atkin jinked his way through the Scarborough defence to score from 30m. Dawes added the conversion 10-0.
York were now beginning to gain control, the back row were punching holes in the Scarborough defence as the rain stopped and the ball became easier to control. York secured another penalty which Dawes dispatched, 13-0. Scarborough then came back at York and were unfortunate not to score before the half time whistle.
York started the second half strongly and a flowing move from the backs looked to have put Davies in but for an excellent covering tackle from the Scarborough wing. York’s scrum was now in the ascendancy. A Scarborough scrum 5m out resulted in York pushing them back with Goulding touching down, conversion missed 18-0 to York on 45mins.
York continued to attack with forward dominance - on 53mins York won another penalty and took a scrum. A powerful drive gave Goulding a simple score, Dawes’ conversion hit the post, 23-0.
York now introduced the bench - straight from the re-start Goulding set off on a powerful run passing to Dawes who went in under the posts and secured the conversion, 30-0.
Almost straight from the kick off, Maud collected the ball and ran straight at the Scarborough defence committing several defenders before passing to Peace who moved the ball on to the supporting Hessay to score, Dawes added the extras 37-0.
York were now in full flow, the forwards creating a strong platform allowing Atkin and Hessay to release the backs with accurate passing through Peace and Forbes. On 65mins Peace and Forbes combined to put Singleton in with Dawes securing an excellent conversion from the touch line. 44-0.
To their credit, Scarborough came back at York and some excellent passing by their backs allowed them to score under the posts adding the conversion. 44-7.
York then regained control - quick ball allowed Hessay to spread the play wide for Singleton to score. 49-7. From the kick off, the excellent Stockton set off on a powerful run to score, Dawes converting to make the final score 56-7.

An excellent team performance from all 18 players which has been the hallmark of York’s strong start to the season. They will however take nothing for granted and start again with training on Tuesday working towards Middlesbrough away next Saturday.