York RUFC 17 v Sandal RUFC 13
Match Report by Jonathan Leach

After a win in their last home game, a week’s break then an away loss, with a stronger side York were looking to continue their recent form with another home win against a Sandal side whom York beat earlier in the season away 20-52. York were 9th in the league, Sandal 11th. Unfortunately, the weather was not conducive to flowing rugby, there was a strong wide, rain and it was cold. As a result, both sides decided not to play expansive rugby but to play it tight and keep it with the forwards.

York played into the wind in the first half and started strongly enjoying plenty of possession and territory. The first scrum showed that York had a distinct advantage but they could not take translate this into points until the 22nd minute when after been awarded a penalty 5 metres from the line, York took the scrum and No 8 Willem Enslin scored the push over try. It was converted by Liam Hessay. York 7-0. York couldn’t consolidate with a further score despite taking the game to Sandal who defended well. The game then swung in Sandal’s favour and they kicked a penalty following a York infringement. 7-3 after 30 minutes. 3 minutes later the Sandal No 5 was yellow carded for a high tackle but even down to 14 men, they scored another penalty to make it 7-6 at the break.

York started the second half in fine form and within two minutes the wing Sam Taylor scored a try after a good break by the scrum half Toby Atkin, it was not converted. 12-6 to York.York then scored again straight from the kick-off following a run from the halfway line by Archie Fothergill, again not converted to make the score 17-6.

The game looked safe and the home support hoped that York would continue to dominate and add further points but it was not to be. York lost the dominance in the scrum and following a long period of Sandal pressure, York conceded a penalty try when Sam Elliot deliberately knock on as he attempted to intercept to make the score 17-13. The game was now in the balance and even more so as Sam Elliott received a yellow card for the infringement. The Sandal centres were a constant threat with ball in hand but a magnificent defensive effort from the whole York team kept them out. The ball went out of play and York had a well-deserved win.

Next week York travel to Alnwick for a difficult away fixture.