York travelled to Hullensians with a team containing 11 products from their thriving Junior Section including 5 players aged between 18 and 21.Hullensians are a well organised and committed team and with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch this was going to be a difficult game.

York kicked off with the wind at their backs; Hullensians ran the ball straight back and the opening ten minutes saw Hullensians dominate the breakdown and possession without creating any scoring opportunities. The wind made the ball difficult to control - York eventually put several phases of play together resulting in a penalty 35m out in front of the posts; Jon Dawes converted 0-3 to York.Almost from the restart Hullensians were awarded a penalty in a similar position but their effort drifted wide.York were now gaining control of the ball and starting to put Hullensians under pressure. Chris Fox was making powerful runs and causing the Hullensians defence problems. From an attempt to relieve the pressure, a kick was gathered by George Davies who ran it straight back at pace. The ball was then spread wide by the York backs for Sam Forbes to score in the corner; conversion missed 0-8.The next 10 minutes saw possession change hands on numerous occasions although there were signs that the York backs could score with quick ball. On 30 minutes, York we’re awarded a penalty and a quick tap and go by Toby Atkin allowed him to dance through the Hullensians defence and score under the posts -Jon Dawes converting for 0-15.
Hullensians were now getting frustrated and a yellow card for talking back to the referee did not help their cause. York were dominating possession. From 30m out, York secured quick ball allowing Liam Hessay to send a pass to Jon Dawes who released Sam Forbes to score in the corner. Jon Dawes converting from the touch line for 0-22 at half time.

York were now playing into a strong wind straight from the kick off Will Atkin broke 40m up field before off-loading to Chris Fox; York were on the front foot. After several phases, the ball was again passed through the backs for Sam Forbes to score his 3rd and York’s bonus point try - Jon Dawes converting from the touch line against the strong wind for 0-29.
Hullensians, with the wind at their backs, began to put York under pressure. However, a superb team effort kept them out and scoring opportunities down to a minimum. York had decided not to try and kick into the wind - instead they kept the ball in hand and starved Hullensians of possession. On 55 minutes, 18 year olds Tom Williams and Lewis Jackson were introduced and during the next 25 minutes showed they were more than capable of competing at this level. York continued to control the ball with Chris Fox and Chris Peace making numerous strong runs to keep York in the Hullensians half. Hullensians continued to persevere and from a scrum Jason Conroy broke down the blind side to score a deserved try but the conversion was missed. It was however a soft try for the York defence to concede in the final play of the game to give a final score of 5-29 to York.

The second half was an excellent team display with special mention to Chris Fox for an outstanding performance and Jon Dawes for his goal kicking in difficult conditions. In addition, the emergence of Tom Williams and Lewis Jackson from the Colts further enhances York’s reliance on home grown talent.