York kicked off downhill with the near perfect playing surface greasy from a recent downpour. With only one pre-season game, York were keen to get the ball in their hands and put the good work done in the off season to good use. The opening exchanges were at sometimes frantic but Josh Britland, newly installed in the York 10 shirt, controlled the game well with some good kicking from hand. The York pack were also beginning to loosen up and showed good control with some tight drives into the North Rib 22. Pressure in defence by York deep in the North Rib 22 paid dividends after only six minutes as Eddie Bradshaw stole the ball from a North Rib maul and showed strength and pace to go over for the season’s first try. The conversion missed, York led 5 -0.

More solid pressure by York and an increasing willingness to go through the phases allowed a York attack to again break into the North Rib 22. Solid clearing at the breakdown and good hands saw Charlie Nicholson cross for York’s second try on 10 minutes. Again the conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the score 10 – 0. The next twenty minutes saw good intentions from both teams, including a neat break from the York loose-head Coe. Ultimately much of this good work was undone by the wet conditions and early season rustiness. As the frustration of mistakes began to show, the penalty count increased and York conceded 10m out from their line in front of the posts. Neatly converted by the North Rib kicker, the score moved on to York 10 – North Ribblesdale 3. A second penalty 5 minutes later doubled the score for North Rib.

As the first half drew to a close, York began to increase the pressure from their effective driving maul. A lineout win on the 22 allowed the York pack to rumble on to the white-wash and a second score by a debutant, this time Jeff Meredith going over. Britland had by now found his range and slotted the conversion to make the score 17 – 6 at half time.

After the break, York playing up the hill looked to continue their solid performance and add to the score board. North Rib showed some early fight which gave York some good practice of controlling play in their own 22. The damp conditions continued to limit the ability of both sides to show the full range of their handling skills as balls were knocked on. The increasing number of scrums did allow York to secure their dominance in the tight and the front five looked strong.

Following good tight control Bradshaw made a trademark barrelling run through midfield which resulted in a York penalty just outside the North Rib 22. Britland pushed the ball closer to the try line and the forwards caught and drove neatly. The fourth try and the bonus point was secured by substitute Roberts. The conversion was missed and the score moved on to York 22 – North Rib 6.

As the game moved into the final quarter, both teams began to tire and handling mistakes played a bigger part in the game. More strong running by Bradshaw, Meredith and Roberts maintained the pressure by York but a poorly taken quick lineout ultimately allowed North Ribblesdale to score their only try against the run of play. The ball made its way into midfield but a North Rib hack through and a dip in defensive concentration by York allowed the North Rib player to chase his 40m kick to touch down. The conversion made, the score closed to 22 – 13.

York worked to regain control and an attacking penalty was converted to maintain a gap in the scores. As the game came to a close, the York scrum again put pressure on the North Rib 8 and Atkin sniped well at the base to steal the ball and scamper under the posts. Converted by Britland, the final score of the game concluded at York 32, North Ribblesdale 13.

The game was summed up by Director of Rugby Pete Clegg who was pleased with the win and the bonus point but aware that there were mistakes made by all players. It was evident from the performance that it was the first game of the season. That being said, North Ribblesdale are always a tough team to play and York can be satisfied with the win and look forward to developing over the next few games.