York’s North One East league status was already confirmed as they sit mid-table after important recent wins against teams just below them. Bridlington are in a relegation battle with Cleckheaton and West Leeds; after a narrow loss to Malton & Norton last week they needed a win.York are now able to be more consistent when naming their fifteen. Dan Coe, Evan Woodworth and Will Scholey started in the front-row, Chris Fox and Dave Rhodes were the locks while Chris Peace and Sam Forbes played at twelve and thirteen. Joe Maud joined Lewis Hannibal and Shane Goulding in the back-row.

Bridlington began well - their forwards retained possession and their back-line looked pacey. The York defence was secure though, limiting Bridlington to two tough penalty kicks. Bridlington full-back, Yasser Omar, squeezed one kick wide with the other falling short. York looked confident and solid when defending and threatening in attack. The powerful York forwards were committing defenders and creating space for the backs. Winger, Rob Hodges, made good progress each time he ran with the ball.Despite advantageous field position and attacking opportunities for both Bridlington and York, neither team scored in an unusual first half. Bridlington even survived ten minutes without Yasser Omar who was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on.

Joe Maud scored for York only two minutes in to the second half. From a standing start in midfield, he burst through the Bridlington defence and ran in. Liam Hessay (fly-half) kicked a nice conversion. York used their interchange bench with Luke Stockton coming into the pack, Freddie Potrykus rotated in to the front row and Isikeli Mulase made his first team debut at centre.York were now creating and taking advantage of attacking situations. Isikeli Mulase carried strongly at centre, the ball was re-cycled and Liam Hessay passed long and accurately to Rob Hodges on the wing to score. Liam missed the conversion but did kick a long penalty a few minutes later.York were showing balance to their rugby. The scrums and line-outs were functioning well, the forward pack are mobile and strong in the loose and the back-line has got pace, experience and solidity. Centre, Chris Peace, stepped his way over the try-line to put the game beyond the visitors after sixty minutes.

With the result settled, the final twenty minutes were scrappy but effective for York. There were plenty of knock-ons but York were dominant in the scrum. Just before the final whistle, Shane Goulding (number Eight) broke from the back of an attacking York scrummage and overcame heavy defensive contact to score. Liam Hessay kicked the conversion to make it a double for York over Brid this season.
York 29 v Bridlington 0 at full time.

York travel to Pocklington next Saturday before completing their season at home to Driffield on 13th April.