West Hartlepool are second-bottom in the league. They’ve won two matches this season against Pocklington and Huddersfield YMCA. They haven’t yet scored more than twenty-five points in a single game (though their tally has never been lower than twelve). York have been solid so far; results and performances have been strong.For the trip to Hartlepool, the starting pack remained consistent with John Aikman, Ross White and Eddie Westaby in the front-row. Chris Fox and Cade Robinson as locks, Shane Goulding at Eight. Luke Stockton and Joe Simpson were the flankers today. Will Fordy started at inside-centre in the backs and was supported by Declan Cusack at fly-half. The West Hartlepool ground is well-appointed. There is plenty of car-parking space, a nice clubhouse and a small stand. Newly installed white fencing surrounded a compact pitch which was soft with rain but not boggy. As the visitors, York were in their 'home' kit and Wests’ played in pale pink to avoid a colour clash. The skies were grey and a fine drizzle fell throughout the afternoon but it wasn’t cold.

York scored their first try within a minute of the kick-off. Chris Fox gathered the re-start, Cade and Shane applied a testing ‘one-two’ before the ball was released to the backs. The handling and support was of a high standard and Will Fordy scored in the corner. Liam Hessay (full-back) missed the extras. The second try for York came after ten minutes. The back line received the ball off the top of an attacking line-out. They positioned themselves, communicated and created space for wing Rob Hodges to score. In difficult kicking conditions today, the conversion was short. West Hartlepool gave themselves a rollocking after conceding early points and they worked to gain some territory. They were rewarded when fly-half Stu Waites kicked a penalty. The game evened out with ball security difficult due to winter conditions. Possession swung both ways. Wests’ winger, Joe Willis intercepted a York pass and the home team found themselves five metres from the York line. For ten minutes Hartlepool attacked using mauls, rucks and through the backs. It was attritional. Wests’ held on to possession, their flanker, Liam Bailey, finally got over the line. He ran direct and hard, he just about got there. West Hartlepool had worked very hard for their points but they were deserved. The try was converted by Stu Waites. West Hartlepool nearly scored again before the break. Liam Bailey released a lovely ball in contact but the attacking play fizzled out. 10-10 at half-time in what was an entertaining game.

York re-established their lead early in the second-half. Declan kicked in to space over the top of the Wests’ defence. Rob Hodges was unlucky not to score when he tried to cushion the ball the final five metres. West Hartlepool kicked clear from their own line but didn’t find touch. This gave Shane Goulding twenty metres to pick up pace and run at a flat Hartlepool defensive line. He released Sam Elliot (wing) who found a gap and went through it. The conversion was good, York were seven ahead again. Chris Fox then picked up a yellow card. West Hartlepool attacked and created chances but York defended well. When possession was turned over, Declan was clearing long up-field. It was Wests’ turn to lose a player to the sin-bin and in a decisive moment in the game, York pushed Hartlepool off their own scrum-feed. A penalty ensued and after some forward pressure, Shane Goulding got over from close range. It was York’s bonus point try. It was now a two-score game as the skies beckoned the dark. Cade Robinson got a yellow for York but West Hartlepool couldn’t get back in to the game despite their efforts. It finished West Hartlepool 10 York 22.

The game was enjoyable. West Hartlepool are a decent unit with good players but York defended well and can score points in different ways. With Scarborough losing at home to Pocklington, York are now top of the table. York’s next game is at Kendal in a fortnight’s time.