On a day when the wind was always going to play a major part in the game, York hosted local rivals Scarborough. In a close encounter at Silver Royd earlier in the season, York had been victorious. Today’s game was just as close with York again taking the honours 19 – 14.

Scarborough had first use of the wind, however it was York who had the early pressure bringing play quickly to the Scarborough 22. A knock on however allowed Scarborough to clear down field from the resulting scrum. A period of Scarborough pressure was broken when York 8 Britland surged 30 yards from a scrum against the head. The relief was short lived as the visitors again brought play into the York half. York were penalised allowing Scarborough 10 Harrison to convert off the post from 40 metres. 3 nil to the visitors after 10 minutes.

Scarborough again brought play into York’s half using the wind well and only solid York defence prevented Scarborough crossing the York line on several occasions, after sustained pressure. The home side were conceding too many penalties and on 20 minutes another York infringement allowed Harrison to extend the lead. 6 nil to Scarborough. The wind was playing its part and Scarborough were using it well. Again they brought play to the York 22, where a Scarborough scrum allowed scrum half Robinson to break down the short side and slip a pass to winger Marshall who crossed near the corner flag. Conversion missed 11 nil. York kicked off into the arms of Scarborough 8 Chapman who raced 40 yards into the York breaking several tackles on the way, at the resulting maul the visitors were penalised for holding on. York relieved to touch.
Scarborough quickly found themselves in the York half and again the home side were penalised. Harrison again adding the penalty 14 –nil. York to their credit brought play back into the Scarborough half and on the stroke of half time had a chance to reduce the deficit. Davies attempt into the wind going wide.

Many on the touchline felt the 14 nil lead wouldn’t be enough and so it was to prove. York started the 2nd half very much on the front foot and soon brought play into the Scarborough half. A period of pressure followed during which time Scarborough prop Taylor was yellow carded. More pressure followed and good forward play, allowed Rutherford to crash over wide out after 3 minutes. Davies adding a very well struck conversion 7 -14.

York came straight back on the attack and again applied pressure in the visitors 22. York’s forwards were dominating the Scarborough pack who were playing with 7 men. A lineout to York, 5 yards out after 20 minutes, allowed Bates to catch and with his pack behind him was driven over. Davies again converting well from wide out. 14 all. This seemed to spur Scarborough into action and for the next 12 minutes they would be camped in the York half. All credit to York though, Scarborough never looked like crossing the York line with solid defence play being the key. York were struggling to get out of there half, conceding numerous penalties and seemingly unable to manufacture a play to get the ball to their kickers to relieve the pressure. When they did manage to get the ball down field it was all too brief as again the visitors came back at York, but again York’s defence was solid.

On 38 minutes York after several passages of play found themselves deep in the Scarborough half. Slick passing by the York backs found replacement winger Charlie Nicholson wide out, who raced 30 yards hugging the touchline and evading the covering Scarborough defence to score in the corner. The conversion from wide was missed 19 - 14 to York. Many in the stand thought there could be only minutes left but referee Ben Raynor had other ideas. Scarborough immediately brought play into the York half, where a knock on allowed good York passing to bring play into the Scarborough half, but again they were penalised. A further penalty from which Billy Cakaunitabua was yellow carded brought play to the York 22. A kick to the corner, a drive forward from the line and another penalty and York were down to 13 men with Freddy Potrykus this time the guilty party. York were well and truly up against it but again their resolute defence defended 3 scrums and numerous Scarborough drives to the line. Finally when the visitors were driven into touch, taking the corner flag with them, Mr Raynor finally decided to bring the came to an end to the relief of the York players and supporters. 19 – 14 York.

This was a gutsy performance, ground out on a day when it was always going to be difficult to play open rugby. On balance York deserved to take the spoils but along the way contrived to make things very difficult for themselves. Not for the first time this season they conceded more penalty’s than their opponents 16 to 5 (albeit some of them from dubious decisions by Mr Raynor). The difficulty or inability in not being able to use the elements to their full advantage (again, not for the first time this season) is also a concern. The victory however, saw them move to 5th ahead of another local derby against Selby next weekend.