Match Report. Saturday 15th September 2012
Dinnington 18 – 25 York.
By Steve Maud.
After two contrasting losses in the first two games of the season it was essential that York secured a win at Dinnington to get this season’s campaign up and running. In the end York did enough but there will be a some, in particular amongst the Dinnington support who will feel that they could have won this game.
York fielded a much changed line up again due unavailability, injuries and selection with every combination on pitch being different to the side that started the game against Bridlington.
York started with the breeze and the slope in their favour. The pitch and wind would ultimately see both sides in the ascendency in their respective halves with the conditions to their favour.
On seven minutes following a Dinnington scrummage 30 metres from their own line good pressure exerted through the scrum saw the ball stolen at the number 8’s feet by Enslin who linked with Bowers on the blindside, a simple draw and pass put Cakaunitabua into space with a clear run to the try line. This was converted to give a York a 7 – 0 lead.
The next ten minutes saw both sides cough up possession with unforced errors with neither really dominating field position.
On 17 minutes following a York charged down kick, Dinnington regained possession in the York half, as they attempted to develop field position York were penalised at the ruck for coming in at the side 25 metres out in front of their own posts. Cannadine the Dinnington scrum half, who would later in the game come to the fore for all the wrong reasons kicked the goal. 3 – 7.
The next score came from a York penalty after Eddie Bradshaw was hit with a high tackle in front of the Dinnington posts which was duly converted for York to lead 3 – 10.
After 25 minutes York won their own lineout on the half way line, quick off the top ball from the tail saw Ben Johnson chip a head only to be blocked as he chased the ball. The referee saw the infringement and awarded York a penalty on the Dinnington 22. York chose not to kick to goal and following a short pass that saw Freddie Portrykus make big inroads into Dinnington defence. Portrykus was hauled down within 3 metres of the line and Will Enslin was on hand to collect and crash over for a score next to the posts. Try converted York lead 3 – 17.
Dinningtons problems increased on 32 minutes when following a York player being penalised for lying on the wrong side of a ruck and failing to roll away the tap dancing Cannadine sees the penalty reversed and a gets a yellow card to boot for his rendition on the York players back.
With Dinnington down 14 for the rest of the half you would expect York to capitalise and they nearly did when a long clearing kick was chased down well by Bradshaw and Sam Portrykus tackling the Dinnington full back deep in his own 22 and forcing the turn over by counter rucking, but the supporting cast from York were too slow to the breakdown, allowing Dinnington to regain possession and clear their lines.
Dinnington then enjoyed their best period of the first half and following their first error free phases of play, managed to build some pressure which saw Matt Starr on 39 minutes run through some flaky York defence to score. Conversion missed 8 – 17. With half time looming Dinnington made the cardinal error of failing to get to half time without conceding further. They allowed the restart to bounce into touch. York stole the lineout and set up a driving maul which took York into the Dinnington 22. The ball was moved down the blindside which saw firstly Gareth Singleton go close, he was held with in touching distance of the line but he managed to keep the ball alive to offload to Enslin who is on hand again to score and stretch the York lead further. Conversion missed 8 – 22 half time score.
The conditions dictated that a 14 point half time lead might not be enough and that was almost correct. The lead was reduced after 8 minutes of the restart when a York knock on in their lineout 15 metres from their own line conceded possession and field position to Dinnington. From the scrum the Dinnington number Ben Ilsley who carried the ball well all day, picked and went from the base , poor defensive tackling saw him brush aside 3 York defenders before scoring under the posts. Converted 15 – 22.
With Dinnington tails up York defence survived a number of examinations as they were pressed hard. Dinnington had a number of opportunities to further reel in the York lead but when they managed to move the ball wide without error they found Billy Cakaunitabua was on hand to eradicate the threat, quite simply Billy’s second half defensive effort was outstanding. He was ably assisted by Singleton and Portrykus as time and again the York defensive line held.
York did enjoy some field position the second half and they should have further stretched their lead after 22 minutes when Cannadine was further yellow carded and sent off for a spear tackle on Bradshaw 20 metres out in front of his own posts. The penalty was missed and York would have to endure more pressure with Singleton making a match saving tackle in his own in-goal area forcing the Dinnington wing over the in- goal side line before he was able to get the ball down.
With time almost up a midfield attack by Cakaunitabua was killed at the ruck illegally by Dinnington in front of their own posts. Tom Boyle was on hand to kick the penalty for a 15 – 25 lead. From the restart York again failed to deal with ball in the air which allowed Dinnington one more roll of the dice. They are awarded a penalty just outside the 22 which they kicked to earn themselves a well deserved losing bonus point. York won 18 – 25.
On a day when Dave Bates (lock) had another impressive game in the lineout and around the park his supporting cast will need to be quicker and more dynamic at the breakdown if York is to capitalise on his considerable ball carrying prowess. Consistency is the key. When we get it right we look like we can challenge for honours at the top end of the table, but too often we are letting ourselves down with too many errors and penalties. That said a win is a win.

Steve Maud