Preston Grasshoppers RUFC 32 v York RUFC 9
Match report by Stuart Copeland with Photos by Steve Hodges

The start to York’s first season in North Premier has not been particularly kind when it comes to away fixtures. For the second away match of the season, York visited Lightfoot Green the home of Preston Grasshoppers who, like Otley, were relegated last year and are amongst the favourites to return. Amongst their former players are Wade Dooley, Will Greenwood and Steve Borthwick.The York team had to accommodate a number of changes. George Davies switched to full back in place of the injured Liam Hessay, with his place in the centre being taken by Sam Forbes. In the forwards, Archie Fothergill moved to the back row in place of Joe Maud who is still recovering from last week’s head injury. The unavailable Shane Goulding was replaced by Willem Enslin for his first appearance following his return from Harrogate.The weather was good for rugby - cloudy with no wind but the artificial pitch took it's toll on both teams with Rob Hodges suffering the worst.

York’s kick off was cleanly taken by the home team who attacked left and quickly recycled right to give the wing Jacob Brown a try in the corner. The score was 5-0 after one minute. York regrouped after the shock start and following midfield pressure, Declan Cusack put a kick to the wing that Sam Elliot just failed to gather. The referee was playing advantage for offside. York chose to kick to the corner rather than at the posts. The line out was cleanly taken and again the hosts were caught offside, this time under the posts. The points were taken, Cusack making the score 5-3.York were quickly on the attack and again Grasshoppers were caught offside. Having given a previous warning second row Luke Proctor was yellow carded. Cusack added the points giving York a 5-6 lead.It was now Grasshopper’s turn to exert pressure resulting in York holding on inside their 22, scrum half Jake Squirrell kicked the goal. York were coming under much pressure and were lucky not to concede a try when a final pass did not go to hand.

As the half progressed York came back into the game with Cusack pulling the strings. Twice Sam Elliot was thwarted on the left wing, first by the bounce of the ball and second by the corner flag. The pressure resulted in York being awarded another penalty which Cusack kicked to give York a narrow 8-9 lead approaching half time. Unfortunately, indiscipline and a low, no arms tackle resulted in a penalty that culminated in a line out. Grasshoppers took the ball and looked to be aiming at scoring from a rolling maul. With defenders drawn in the ball was released to the backs where inside centre Sam Stott broke to put his centre partner Matt Crow in close to the posts. Squirrell converted to give the home team a halftime lead of 15-9.

It was a competitive first half with York well in the match. The forwards were all carrying well and Sam Forbes making strong runs from midfield. To supporters, it appeared that York just needed to be more accurate in attack and the points would come. It was not to be.
The second half began the same as the first with a quick try by Grasshoppers full back Alex Taylorson following forward pressure, converted by Squirrell. The scrum half was immediately in the action again finishing off an attack started by the impressive Sam Stott. In very quick time the match had slipped away from York and matters only got worse when wing Rob Hodges fractured and dislocated an ankle going for the line.

Although York tried until the end, the strong Grasshoppers defence nullified all attempts to play their accustomed fast attacking game. The last score came from a rolling maul giving Grasshoppers a well-deserved 32-9 win.

The result was disappointing but York have now played two of the strongest teams away and shown that they are competitive at this level. There will be many easier games.