York RUFC 57 v Northwich RUFC 0
Match Overview by Jonathan Leach
York welcomed Northwich to Clifton Park for the third of four home games to end York’s first season in North Premier. The sun was out, no sign of rain, the ground firm and there are not any grounds in the league which are more picturesque and suited to running rugby. Whilst York have settled well into the league been mid table with several games lost that could quite easily have been won, Northwich are having an awful season having played 23 games and drawn one and lost the remainder. Points scored an average of 7 per game, points conceded an average of 55 per game. Definitely a season to forget!

The York supporters were therefore expecting a try feast, a healthy win and a boost to the points difference. Any thoughts the players may have had of an easy game quickly disappeared from the start when Northwich collected their own kick off and put York under early pressure. York took some time to raise their game, cut out silly mistakes and put points on the board.

Throughout the game Northwich didn’t play like a team who have yet to win a game, they never gave up, ran when they had the ball, played with ambition, tackled hard, competed at the breakdown and generally made things very difficult for York. In attack however they lacked the cutting edge required to break down a resolute York defence determined not to concede a score. They also suffered a number of injuries which resulted in them finishing the game with 14 men. It was certainly not a game that York could play in second gear. Once York had absorbed the early Northwich pressure, upped the tempo and got into their stride, they had too much pace in the backs, physicality in the forwards and overall organisation for the visitors. They in turn got on the wrong side of the referee on a number of occasions and conceded too many penalties which relieved pressure on York when they were attacking and gave York an attacking opportunity when given in the visitor’s half, whereas York kept their patience, composure and discipline. Once York had scored 4 tries in the first half the game was effectively over and the only question was how many points they would accumulate. By half time it was 31 and by full time 57. If the referee hadn’t ended the game 5 minutes early and with more precision from York the total would have been higher.

Tries came from Sam Elliot, Liam Hessay, Freddie Smith, Declan Cusack, a brace each from Luke Stockton and Toby Atkin with the final try; the pick of the bunch was certainly that of Will Kinnersley who ran in from 20 yards out and in doing so sold an outrageous dummy which bamboozled the Northwich defenders and delighted the home supporters. Liam Hessay’s conversions made up the balance of the total.
The final 2 home games are against teams above York in the league, Lymm next Saturday and in the final game on the 23rd April Otley who are top of the league. The club hopes to see as many supporters as possible at Clifton Park to hopefully see 2 further York wins and a great end to the season.