Match Report by Jonathan Leach
York travelled to Alnwick looking for their first away win of 2022 after a home win in their last game. Their hosts were undefeated in their last 3 games and were 6th in the league having scored nearly 200 more points than York who were 9th. Any concerns that Storm Eunice would play a part in the game were unfounded. There was sun, no rain and wind, perfect conditions for rugby at a compact ground with lots of home support and a good number of travelling York supporters.

Alnwick’s No 10 tops the North Premier scoring table and after 2mins it was clear why when he narrowly missed a penalty from just inside the York half. He was the dominant player in the first half, kicking long when in his own half and to the corner forcing York to play from deep and make mistakes. They looked to drive through their forwards from lineouts. After 8 mins when York failed to find touch, Alnwick kicked to the York 22 and from a line out the forwards drove over the line for a try, 5-0 with the conversion missed. York tried to get into the game and were certainly the stronger side in the scrum, but found it difficult to get momentum, and even when the Alnwick No7 was yellow carded after 15 minutes, they managed to score again from a driving maul after 22 mins. 10-0 with the conversion again missed. York then enjoyed some possession and territory but on one of their rare visits to Alnwick’s 22 and in a promising position, a York pass was intercepted resulting in a converted Alnwick try, 17-0 after 30 mins.A further Alnwick converted try followed after 36 mins when after period in the York 22 the Alnwick No 12 found a gap in the York defensive line to make the score 24-0. The York supporters were fearful of a long 2nd half.

However, York started the second half with changes to the back row and a sense of belief which resulted in a push over try by the captain Ross White after 10mins and a period of York pressure. The conversion hit the post. 24-5. Alnwick started to concede penalties and after 17 mins the Alnwick No 7 was red carded after receiving a further yellow card. York now had numerical advantage and soon made it count when the York No 10 Liam Hessay scored a try and also converted it. The score was now 24-12 and York were now playing with more conviction and taking the game to Alnwick who continued to concede penalties which resulted in a further try for York scored by Joe Maud from a rolling maul. 24-17 after 23 mins. Alnwick then had a period of possession and on their first visit to York’s 22 won a penalty from some loose York play which their No 10 kicked to increase their lead to 27-17. York quickly attacked and scored a try from a quickly taken penalty by the ever alert York No 9 Toby Atkin which was not converted to make the score 27-22 after 33 mins. The Alnwick forwards then kept the ball tight looking for full time, good work from the York pack forced a scrum and a last chance to score but a strong Alnwick defence kept them out.

The Alnwick RFC Twitter feed suggested they were hanging on and if there had been a TMO they would have lost a first half try!
York took 2 bonus points from the game having left themselves with too much to do in the second half.
Final score Alnwick RFC 27 York RUFC 22
With no game next week York have a home game against Billingham on the 5th March.