A win for York would secure first place in Yorkshire One and promotion to North One (East). It was a bright Saturday afternoon and there was a healthy crowd to see York play Heath. The visitors have also had an excellent season and remain firmly in the battle to achieve second place (and get the play-off spot). York selected a strong eighteen with Darren Rutherford, Simon Webster and Steve Johnson making up the front row.

Heath started well - two consecutive penalties advanced them in to a scoring position. Sam Pollard (full-back) found space in the back line and linked with winger Simon Brown to score. Inside centre, Ezra Hinchcliffe missed the conversion.It was the first time York and Heath had played this season (two previous fixtures cancelled due to weather and fixture congestion) and Heath were fast starters. York were penalised further for back-chat to the referee and an offside. Hinchcliffe kicked the second penalty.

Heath travelled to York with a reputation of being a good forward pack and the first ten minutes showed the team to be a cohesive and capable unit. Heath prop, Oliver Cook made heavy contact with York inside centre Sam Potrykus. Some felt there were no arms wrapped around in the tackle. Sam Forbes (York captain and outside centre) got a yellow card for protesting. Joe Maud, York’s blind side flanker, also got a yellow card for more back-chat to the referee. Ezra Hinchcliffe kicked the resulting penalty for Heath.Heath now led 11 nil and York reduced to thirteen players. Still driving forward, York winger, Rob Hodges, scored a solo try though when he chipped over the Heath defence, re-gathered and touched down. John Dawes missed the conversion which was one metre in from touch.

Under heavy Heath pressure York showed resolve. On one occasion, Daz Rutherford gained very important ground enabling fly half Liam Hessay to make an excellent clearing kick. Another penalty was awarded to Heath close to York’s try line; they chose to scrummage but York held them out. Sam Potrykus communicated well and helped to organize the York back-line defence.York’s two sin-binned players returned as the Heath pressure continued. This time they attacked with a rolling maul but Chris Fox, Simon Webster and Steve Johnson were prominent in defence and reversed possession. Liam Hessay cleared very well again gaining forty metres.With team numbers equal and territory more even, York took their chance to score. After an initial break in midfield by John Dawes and a tight carry by Daz Rutherford, Steve Johnson was able to release Shane Goulding in space to get over the line. The conversion was missed.York had to scramble in defence after a line break and Heath were stopped a metre out but the ball was re-cycled and the effective Heath open side, Jason Merrie, got the try. The conversion was good and York trailed by eight points at half time. 10-18.

York began the second half powerfully; they went through five phases and gained fifty metres before Jason Merrie secured a turnover. York used their interchanges with Chris Peace swapping with Sam Potrykus in the centres and Josh Parker switching with Lewis Hannibal in the back row. Shane Goulding showed good acceleration and agility to bust through the Heath midfield and put York in an attacking position. The Heath defence scrambled well though with their own number eight, Richard Brown motivating the team. Chris Peace was tackled high giving York a penalty but the kick was wide.York retained attacking pressure and possession and Joe Maud twice went very close to the Heath line before Toby Atkin stretched and scored from the base of a ruck. The conversion was missed.Chris Peace was yellow carded for a high tackle. Forward Martin Barnes then scored for Heath under an extended attacking advantage. The conversion was good and Heath were ten points ahead with fifteen minutes remaining. 15-25.

Heath picked up two yellow cards, Simon Brown (14) for a high tackle and Richard Brown (8) was also sent to the sin-bin. Heath were now fighting to hold on to the lead with hooker, Alex McFadden leading the way.The pressure told though - after getting over the line but being adjudged as held up, Toby Atkin took advantage of an uncontrolled ball at the base of a defensive Heath scrum to score. John Dawes kicked the conversion and moving in to injury time, kicked a penalty to draw the match. 25 all,

York, with two points for a draw and a bonus point for scoring four tries secured the league championship and automatic promotion. After congratulating Heath on a good game the York players celebrated.

Well done to the players,coaches, physio and everyone involved.