York travelled to Percy Park looking to improve on last week’s heavy home defeat to Morley. Park went into the game with an unbeaten home record this season – in fact, they haven’t lost a league game at home for the three years! York again made several changes and 19 year old Joe Simpson started at 7.

Park kicked off into a strong breeze and immediately put York under pressure with good ball retention, moving the ball down the line in an effort to break through. Pleasingly, York’s defence held firm. Park knocked on and from the scrum under the posts York cleared to half way.
York now had a chance to play in the Park half and started to control the ball with good team play, eventually forcing a penalty on the halfway line. Liam Hessay kicked for touch and gained an attacking line out on the 5m line. York continued to put pressure on which eventually told. From a scrum 5m out, Shane Goulding picked up from the base of the scrum and burst over for the first try which Jon Dawes converted for a 7-0 lead. York now enjoyed sustained ball and continually attacked the Park defence. Will Scholey was carrying with intent and Rob Hodges was continually coming off his wing to run at a solid Park defence. York’s forwards were showing far greater ball control than last week and as a result York’s backs were able to put some good moves together. On two occasions, Hodges was forced into touch just short of the line by Park’s winger Blair. Park finally forced their way up the pitch and it was York’s turn to defend; Simpson took the lead with some strong tackling. Just before half time York lost Simpson and Forbes to injury, the latter a compound fracture to his thumb - York’s 10th injury of the season requiring surgery. With the last play of the half, a good move by the Park backs allowed Blair to score in the corner - conversion missed. Half time 5-7.

York kicked off the second half recovering the ball and camped in the Park half. A strong carry by Scholey and good ball presentation, gave the York backs quick ball. Hessay picked out Goulding running a great line to power in under the posts for York’s second try; Dawes converted for a 5-14 lead. Park were far from finished and pushed into the York half again, showing good ball retention and pressuring the York line. A series of scrums on the York 5m line ended with the ref awarding a penalty try. The score was now 12-14 on 60 minutes with all to play for. Play now settled down in the central area of the pitch with both side’s defences on top. Park’s winger then showed great speed to burst through and score from 30m with the conversion missed. Park were now leading 17-14 with 15mins to go. York showed a great attitude and from a good hanging kick off recovered the ball; forwards and backs combined with Hodges again making the crucial break. The ball was quickly recycled by Toby Atkin to Hessay who put Rich Downey in for the decisive score. Dawes missed the difficult conversion but York were now leading 17-19. York played out the final minutes to take a well-deserved win. It had been a very good game to watch from both sides.

York entertain local rivals Malton next week and will be looking to build on a much improved performance.