All twenty six games in the North One East season are tough and Bradford & Bingley’s visit to Clifton Park would be no different. The West Yorkshire side have only won once in the league so far this season but have advanced in the cup, scoring heavily to beat West Leeds last Saturday. York had a bye in the cup (hosting Cleckheaton in the second round on the 10th November) but were looking to build on an excellent start to the league season. Jon Dawes returned to the York starting fifteen at full-back with George Davies continuing at outside centre. Sam Potrykus joined George in midfield. Russ Bowers played at hooker with Chris Fox (captain) and Dave Rhodes in the second row.

It was a blustery day with the wind blowing across the field, favouring neither side but making goal kicking difficult. York scored early; after a set scrum, they passed accurately through the back line with each player receiving the ball at pace. Jon Dawes committed his man then released Gareth Singleton to score. Jon kicked a lovely conversion. Rob Hodges danced down the opposite wing to create York’s second try. Shane Goulding (number Eight) worked hard to support him, Rob released the ball and Shane evaded pressure to finish from thirty metres out.

With Bradford & Bingley on the back foot, Campbell Thomson (flanker) showed hustle and forced an error. On the resulting turnover ball, George ran a great line at pace and didn’t need to make the final pass to Gareth, scoring himself. Jon kicked his third conversion of the day. When the visitors were again stretched in defence, Toby Atkin could have distributed the ball to several different receivers. Instead, Toby exploited the uncertainty and accelerated through a narrow gap at the side of a ruck to score York’s bonus point try. Bradford & Bingley scored just before half-time. Tom Bacon found space and scored after a few phases of attacking possession. The conversion was missed and the score was 26-5 at the interval.

Toby picked up a yellow card at the start of the second half after Tom Bacon, the Bradford & Bingley try scorer, appeared to hold on to his legs to prevent him from getting to the breakdown. Nick Speck played at scrum-half for the remainder of the game. Bradford & Bingley (who scored five tries in the second half last Saturday) gave themselves hope when full-back, Lance Taylor, scored in the corner. The try was unconverted though and York retained their composure. Jon kicked a penalty before George received the ball, again at pace, and was able to burst over the line from close range. Bradford & Bingley scored two tries in the final five minutes to earn a try bonus point. The tries came from line breaks, Cameron Bainbridge (wing) scored the first and Lance Taylor finished the second. The conversions were missed in the difficult conditions and the game ended, York 34 Bradford & Bingley 20.

York travel to 4th placed Scarborough next Saturday.