ork travelled to friends and rivals on the east coast on Saturday with the knowledge that a complete team performance would be a match for any team in this highly competitive league. Unfortunately, York were again unable to perform as the coaches and supporters know they can for a full 80 minutes. This along with a spirited and dogged performance by the hosts Bridlington meant York were unable to avoid defeat.

The game played in bright sunshine and an unseasonably mild temperature started at a brisk pace with Brid showing their intentions to run hard through the middle of the park and pile the pressure on York. An early visit to the Brid 22 resulted in a penalty to York which George Davis, starting at 10 in place of Josh Britland who is out for three weeks with a head injury, slotted to give York an early 0 to 3 lead. This early lead did not last long for York as the score motivated Brid to up their work rate and pile the pressure on from the re-start. Some sloppy defence by York and good work by Brid allowed them to chalk up the first try and conversion for a 7 – 3 lead.

Brid maintained the pressure on York through much of the first period as the York XV seemed tired and some way short of the basic cohesion that they are capable of. James Thompson, Brid’s No 8 lead the charge well and consistently gave the home side positive go-forward possession. A bright moment for York was the debut off the bench of Sam Blain who replaced the unlucky Freddie Potrykus, who took a knock to the head. Big Sam, son of club legend Andy, slotted in well at prop and looked un-phased against the solid Brid front row and didn’t take a step back in the tight.

Brid scored their second try as York missed a number of tackles and allowed the score to progress to 14 – 3. Shortly after York were still unable to thwart the momentum of the solid charges from Thompson as Brid built towards their third try. Taking the score to 21 – 3 and scored skilfully by the Brid winger the try was created by a wonderful flat pass from Brid’s veteran fly half.

With the first half drawing to a conclusion, York seemed to wake up and starting stringing a number of phases together. A miss-directed clearance by Brid allowed Alex Nixon to counter attack from deep. Showing some of his form of old, Nixon made good ground and was well supported by his team mates. Some better pick and drives by the York forwards eventually led to a York scrum where they were beginning to dominate. Whilst the referee should have maintained more control at the scrum and awarded York at least a penalty for their obvious dominance, the resulting play allowed the ever-sprightly scrum half Atkins to dart over for York’s first try. Although Davis missed the conversion, the score line looked a little more healthy at 21 – 8.

From the restart, York continued this better phase of play and again Nixon, aided by Charlie Nicholson gave York good field position from which to launch another attack. Atkins was on hand again to cross the whitewash from a neat set of drives by the York forwards but the referee was either unsighted or temporarily confused as the try was disallowed, apparently ‘held up’. Whilst Toby is indeed a skilled player, even his skills do not stretch to holding himself up over the line following a dive. York awarded the scrum out 5 applied the pressure and won a penalty. A quick tap and go and a series of good drives, including one from the debutant Blain growing in confidence, ultimately gave way to Daz Rutherford scoring. The conversion missed again, the score now 21 – 13.

The final minutes of the first half were possibly the most frustrating as York allowed Brid back into the game with York losing Atkins to the bin and Brid scoring two additional tries. The first try was a neat chip by the influential fly half, with the bounce beating the York defenders, allowing the Brid winger to score his second. The final score of the half was a simple overlap out wide as the absence of Atkins was felt. At the turn-around Bridlington were 33 – 13 to the good.

York needed to improve in the second half and with the benefit of the wind at their backs and some concise advice from the York coaching team, it was certainly achievable. The opening exchanges were fairly even as both teams showed good spirit and commitment. Whilst York’s lineout was not always the most consistent, the scrum continued to provide solid ball and the odd penalty. With York camped in the Brid 22 on 60 minutes, a series of strong drives ultimately gave way to a second short-range try for Rutherford. The conversion hit by Davis, the score was now 33 – 20. York now had a little more belief in their ability and the composure to control the game. Brid gave away a string of penalties which eventually led to a man in the bin. York should really have taken control of the game at this point wand whilst they did maintain position, they were unable to keep the numerical advantage as Meredith was also shown a yellow card.

Davis, in his first start at fly half was beginning to show some of the vision and skill we all know he has as he dabbed the ball over the Brid defenders heads to keep them pinned in their own 22. Once York had the ball as well as the field position, they managed to string four phases together and the experienced winger Cakaunitabua buried over from short range. Davis converted as the gap closed to 33 – 27.

Brid were clearly tiring as the game came to a close and York started to believe that the win was within their grasp. From deep within his own 22 Sam Thorpe ripped the ball from a Brid player and made a strong charge up-field. York went through the phases well and eventually released the backs. With an overlap out to the left, Sam Arkle crossed for the decisive try. The scores now agonisingly close at 33 -32, Davis stepped up to take the win. Unfortunately for York, the kick went wide and Bridlington held on to the advantage.

The dying seconds saw the Brid players scrap and York loose position on their own line out, the resulting clearance saw the referee call time on an engaging and competitive game, Brid taking it by the narrowest of margins.

The York side and their coaching team will feel frustrated as again they showed glimpses of what they can do but failed to put in a full 80 minutes. There were some good performances; Bates carried the ball strongly and gave the pack some leadership and Sam Blain held his own on debut and had a number of good carries (he clearly has the potential to be a regular member of the 1st XV squad but needs to be there every Tuesday and Thursday night pressuring the incumbent props).

Whilst it was defeat, York still take 2 valuable points from the visit to Bridlington. We look forward to welcoming Brid to Clifton Park in late February, reciprocating the warm welcome and hospitality they showed us yesterday.