York again struggled for fluency in a rather dour struggle at 10th placed Pontefract, played in still bright conditions on a somewhat greasy pitch. Teenager Callum Simpson making his season's debut on the wing in place of the unavailable Billy, was the only change from the side that finished 2014 with disappointment in the Shield.

The opening exchanges were scrappy with both sides making errors but with York dominating the lineouts, Chris Fox and Dave Bates both stealing the ball off the Pontefract throw. An early break into the Ponte 20m earned York a very kickable penalty but George Davies was unable to convert. On 15 minutes against the run of play, Pontefract's 10, Boyd, rather miscued a field kick that nevertheless popped up into the winger's arms who drew his marker and fed 13 Fawcett who hacked on and touched down in the corner, 5-0.

Both teams struggled to assert any dominance and play meandered on until on 25 mins Marcus Britland made a good break from the back of a scrum up centre field, ball was recycled to the backs and Pontefract were penalised for offside, Davies converting from 25m, 5-3. York now attacked and drove the ball up into the Ponte 20m, earning a penalty into the corner from where the opposition lineout failed to master Bates, who was driven over for the try, Davies just short with a touchline effort, 5-8.

From the kick off Freddy Potrykus received the ball deep and used his considerable bulk to barge up field, from the ruck, Bates sprinted clear and headed for the line, catching his team mates by surprise as he lacked any support and was brought down 5m short of the line, earning York the scrum. From here the ball was fed along the short blind side for Davies to score in the corner, again off target with the conversion. 5-13, half time.

Pontefract started with more urgency and looked to move the ball down their back line several times with little avail until on 50 mins, quick ball from the lineout was soon in the hands of centre Bacon who kicked through and narrowly won the race to the ball, 10-13.
York re applied the pressure and following another strong trundle from Potrykus, Pontefract were penalised for a high tackle in front of their posts, Davies slotting, 10-16. Having spurned a kickable penalty themselves only to lose the scrum, Ponte redeemed themselves on 60 mins with a good phase of play where having moved the ball down the line from both directions, winger Gill touched down in the corner, 15-16.

York came straight back and earned a lineout on the 5m from which Sam Thorpe claimed the score, following the yet again effective catch and drive, 15-21. York now seemed good for the win, Toby Atkin made two good sniping rooms along opposite touchlines, kicking through for the line on the second break only for the ball to go dead. Pontefract kicked off, the York receiver fumbled his catch and Ponte 13 Fawcett charged through unopposed to score in the corner, 20-21.

From the York re start, Ponte moved the ball back down the line for Bacon to straighten up, break the tackle and feed flanker Dean who showed good speed to score near the posts, Boyd converted, 27-21.To their credit York were rewarded for their last efforts with another catch and drive try from the lineout with Bates claiming his second score. George Davies had to convert from the touch line in order to steal the win but was alas, unable to convert a difficult chance; full time 27-26.

Not a great game to watch, an ex England u18 selector remarked that it was a poor game from two poor sides, which doesn't reflect the efforts put in but could describe the ball retention and execution of basic moves. The players really need to pull together and up the training attendances to get them back to the standards they are capable of. They also should look to keep clear heads and not send too many panicky passes or offloads out, as these errors are destroying their game at present.

Thanks to referee Mr Gordge who had a decent sensible game.

Next week we entertain Scarborough in what should be a good North Yorkshire derby at Clifton Park.