Shay Lane has rarely been a happy hunting ground for York RUFC with the very tight pitch tending to inhibit their playing style. However the current team arrived, on a bitterly cold afternoon, intent on maintaining their league topping status.

Conditions however were to play an important part in an error strewn afternoon. Right from the kick off, York failed to properly secure a ball on the ground and the resultant penalty saw Salem, with the wind, into the York 22 where, territorially they spent most of the first half. The pattern developed with York trying to play the superior rugby, driving forward, conceding possession and being driven back into their own half, although at no time did Salem really threaten the York line.The breakthrough came when on one of their forays York won possession at a line out and with a strong rolling maul drove at Salem’s line for Luke Stockton to crash over for the first try ( 0-5 ). The conversion from wide out hit the post. It was not, however, the signal for a try feast, as the odd flurry of snow, driven by a strong wind made conditions for good rugby extremely difficult. York’s pack however gained total control over the scrums which allowed possession to be regained after the ball had been lost by frozen hands. Just before half time York were reduced to 14 when Lewis Hannibal was “binned” for persistent infringement. In fact York had conceded 8 penalties by the half way stage.

Now with a wind advantage, the second half began in a more structured way with Liam Hessay gaining some 60 yards with a fine kick into the Salem 22 only for the attack to be thwarted by a penalty given for obstruction by York. With the advantage of the territory York were beginning to run the ball wider, but the tightness of the pitch allowed Salem to snuff out most attacks. However, the pressure was building and when the home team knocked on in their own 22, the dominant York scrum drove over for Shane Goulding to claim the try which Jon Dawes converted (0-12). York, continuously driving forward, finally created the opportunity for Gareth Singleton to crash over in the corner for a fine try again converted by Jon Dawes.(0-19) Although the fourth, and bonus point winning score, eluded them, York managed to keep their line intact against Salem’s late rally, helped in no small part by fine tackling by full back George Davies.

To leave Bradford with a comprehensive win was very satisfying, despite the “penalty against” count reaching 15 before full time. In tighter games this will be important.