York entertained the well drilled and competitive Yarnbury at Clifton Park on this unseasonably mild late October Saturday afternoon. After 80 minutes the score board was unable to separate the sides on 20 points each. Similarly both teams are tied with 20 points in the league but Yarnbury finish the weekend ahead in third position due to a better points difference.

York needed a much improved performance following last week’s disappointing defeat at Wath. Whilst the opening exchanges looked promising, Yarnbury were more efficient in converting their chances and a defensive slip out wide by York allowed the visitors to score the first try after only a few minutes. Converted, York were down 0 to 7.

As the game settled down, York found their feet and built some good phases with the pack driving the ball well. Unsubtle final touches and consistent infringement at the breakdown by the Yarnbury pack kept the scoreboard in Yarnbury’s favour. On 16 minutes another penalty for hands in the ruck gave York’s George Davis his first attempt at goal which he converted to close the score to 3 – 7.

Continued infringement by Yarnbury at the breakdown eventually exhausted the referees patience and flanker Bennett was given 10 minutes on the side-line. York chose the scrum from the penalty and drove forward well. Four more short drives tied in the now depleted Yarnbury defence and the ball was spun wide where fullback Nixon took advantage of the space and crossed the whitewash to score in the corner. Davis had clearly found his range as he converted from out wide to allow York to take the lead 10 – 7.

York failed to build on their lead and allowed Yarnbury to regain their composure after going a man and a try down. Confusion at a lineout gave way to a penalty within the Yarnbury fly half Paterson’s range. Converted, the scores were levelled to 10 a piece. York built some better pressure as the half came to an end and were almost there a number of times. Poor final passes and stout defence by Yarnbury ensured the half ended all square.

York had the slope but the wind in their faces as they turned around at half time. Some good work from the base of the scrum allowed York to gain quick, clean ball but handling mistakes and poor decision making stopped them from adding to the score. On 58 minutes, some good phases of work by York was rounded off by an excellent break by the influential Bates, who took the ball deep in the Yarnbury half and ran down the touch line and cut inside towards the posts, evading the Yarnbury defence and ultimately fed Nixon, who crossed for his second try. The excellent work was rounded off by Davis who again converted; the score now York 17 – Yarnbury 10.

Yarnbury upped their work rate and pilled the pressure on York, camping on the York 5 meter line but stout defending by York kept them out. Unfortunately for York though, a change in attacking option by Yarnbury lead to their second try. Possession from a scrum in midfield was recycled effectively and a try scored in the corner. Unconverted, the score closed to 17 - 15. Two minutes later Yarnbury crossed the whitewash again as York failed to keep hold of the ball. From a good midfield position, York continued to run the ball into contact rather than spread the ball wide or kick for field position. As the ball was ground into contact for the third time, Yarnbury managed to steal possession and spread the ball wide quickly and break up the tram lines to cross in the corner. The missed conversion moved the score to York 17 – Yarnbury 20.

York spurred into action and managed to gain some better field position and ultimately force a penalty. As the game closed, the ever reliable Davis hit the penalty to level the scores at 20 each.

Whilst undoubtedly a much better performance than last week, the York coaching staff were still left with a certain amount of frustration. York managed to win and secure good possession but failed to take their chances and effectively release the York backline as often as they should have. There were some good individual performances by the York side, with Dave Bates carrying well and the man of the match George Davis kicking four out of four. Next week York are at home again, against Heath and will hopefully be able to turn possession into chances for their strike runners.