Match report by Simon Pickles

York hosted Kirkby Lonsdale in the second round of fixtures in the Premier Division North. Both teams had lost on the opening week-end, York were beaten at Otley and Kirkby Lonsdale fell to Lymm.

York have retained nearly all of the squad that won North One East in March 2020.
Against Kirkby, Ross White captained the side from hooker after missing last week. He was joined by Eddie Westaby and Will Scholey in the front-row with Freddie Potrykus rotating in.Chris Fox was alongside Archie Fothergill in the locks, Archie having joined York in the closed season from Pocklington. Joe Maud, Joe Simpson and Shane Goulding were the loose forwards with Luke Stockton playing off the bench.Toby Atkin, who reliably links the forwards and backs, was at scrum-half with player-coach Declan Cusack outside him at fly-half. Jonny Frank and George Davies were the centres, Rob Hodges, Sam Elliot and Liam Hessay were the back three. Sam Forbes was the back-line rotation.

The weather was breezy but fine and Clifton Park was well presented. Supporters of both teams anticipated a good game. Ross White led the York team out. York gained their first points within five minutes of the kick-off. With York attacking, Sam Elliot made the call from his wing and Declan slid a kick through the Kirkby defensive line. Sam gathered and Toby Atkin was on hand to score.York were sharp and their scrummage was gaining momentum. Archie Fothergill was a safe option within the accurate York line-out. York had advantageous field-position and possession and they made this count. Declan released Jonny Frank in attacking space and Jonny passed to Liam Hessay who scored from a supporting line.

The open-side of York’s back line were busy and Sam passed inside to Liam who scored his second try of the game, not long after his first. Kirkby had the territorial advantage for ten minutes before half-time. Freddie Potrykus received a yellow card as York defended their try line. Kirkby didn’t convert their position to points though. Declan and Liam were able to use the wind to kick long out of defence and relieve the pressure. With Declan getting two out of his three conversion attempts thus far, the score was 19-0 at half time.

With the wind now favouring the visitors, the game could still have been close but York scored their bonus-point try early in the second period. Declan kicked into the corner from a penalty and Chris Fox high-pointed the ball from the line-out. Ross White retained possession at the rear of the familiar forward rumble before dropping over the line.An attacking scrum again provided clean ball to the York backs. Declan passed to Sam Forbes at outside centre. Sam provided Rob Hodges enough space on the wing to finish the attacking move.

With ten minutes remaining, Shane Goulding burst tackles and scored his first try of the season under the posts. York didn’t ease-up after the re-start. Shane ran in open-field again. He kicked over the top of the last line of Kirkby defence and Sam Elliot touched the ball down.Clean line-out ball enabled Sam Forbes to score York’s eighth and final try before the game closed. Declan was successful with five of his eight conversions with no penalty shots at goal.

The final score, York RUFC 50 v Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC 0.

It was a difficult game for the visitors. On the day, York were dominant. Congratulations to all players that took part. Kirkby host Rossendale next Saturday and York travel to Preston.