Match Report by Simon Pickles. Photos by Steve Hodges.

A steady cold wind made it somewhat bitter in Wakefield where York had travelled to play Sandal RUFC. Despite promising performances, York were seeking their first away win of the season. Sandal, with two wins and four losses, have scored plenty of points but conceded more.

Declan Cusack was a late scratch from the York line-up, Liam Hessay took his spot at fly-half. Tom Hicks was also unavailable, Archie Fothergill moved to the second-row. Joe Maud joined Joe Simpson and Shane Goulding in the back-row.

From the beginning of the game the York scrummage was hard to stop. They put heavy pressure on Sandal forcing territory and possession in York’s favour. In space, away from the set-piece, George Davies (full-back) linked with Sam Elliot on the wing. There was a knock-on as York tried to score but from the resulting scrum, Shane Goulding picked the ball up from the base and got York’s first try. Sandal replied. After a spell with the ball, they won a penalty and kicked to York’s corner. The hosts set up a driving maul and rumbled over the line. Big second-row, Austen Thompson, who has played National Two rugby for Huddersfield, got the ball down.

York retained much of the territorial advantage and possession throughout the first half. After an attacking York driving maul stalled in the corner, Joe Maud carried powerfully into the Sandal line. He committed defenders and Liam Hessay was able to slide through the remaining space to re-establish York’s lead. It was Sandal ball that preceded York’s third try. Liam Hessay intercepted a pass as the hosts opened up in attack. Despite a chase, no-one could catch Liam and he ran it sixty metres to go under the posts and then convert his own try. Sandal persevered and their winger, Olly Fisher scored in the corner, again the conversion was missed.

Half time score: Sandal 10 York 19

York needed stout defence to hold Sandal out after the break. The gusting wind and Sandal’s determination made clearances difficult. Fly-half, Luke Punton kicked a penalty to bring Sandal within a score of the lead. York eventually got some counter-attacking possession. Scrum-half, Toby Atkin made good ground before the ball was spread quickly to Sam Elliot on the other side of the pitch. In tight space, Sam was able to avoid covering tackles and the sideline to score York’s bonus-point try in the corner.

The final twenty minutes of the game were open. Joe Maud carried forward in the centre of the pitch. He was tackled but with no Sandal defenders to form a ruck, he was able to pick up the ball. He regained his momentum and passed to Joe Simpson who was in support to score.

The hungry York forward pack were now finding space in attack. Ten metres out, Joe Simpson passed the ball to Archie Fothergill who quickly moved it on to prop forward Will Scholey. Will went low over the line and touched down. Liam added two points with a well-struck wide conversion. Sandal never stopped competing. With ten minutes remaining, Jack Handley scored in the corner to give them hope of gaining a bonus point. York were being ruthless though; George Davies slipped a nice pass to Toby Atkin who scored their seventh try. Reliable York centre, Will Fordy, scored in the final moments to close the game. Both tries were again converted.

Sandal RUFC 20 v York RUFC 52.

With a league restructure at the end of the season, it’s perhaps possible that five teams from the North Premier division will achieve promotion to National League Two North. York play Alnwick at home next Saturday, sixth vs fifth in the table!