York v Harrogate (Away) 7th October 2012

Game 1 – York won 7-5
Subs: Angus, Tommo, Bosy, Harrison, Chris
Harrogate kicked off into the sun, playing right to left – as seen from the clubhouse. The teams were evenly matched, but with York slightly quicker into their stride and thereby able to gain the advantage through winger Harry T’s intelligent touch down closer to the left side of the posts before Harrogate had gained their match sharpness. Charlie held his nerve well for the conversion. 7-0. By contrast Harrogate players were made to work hard for a brief period of dominance on York’s right side two-thirds through the game. An entertaining duel throughout the game between Charlie on the wing and his opposite number on the Harrogate left culminated with a twist. Having accepted the greater agility of his shorter opponent and elected to use his greater pace in the chase, Charlie was just too late in the tackle to bring his opponent down before the line, but bring him down he did and thereby forced a conversion almost from the touchline. This proved impossible and after further to and fro the final whistle blew in York’s favour.
Highlights of the match: Tom’s charge into the Harrogate forward line from Isaac’s feed at kick-off, Dan’s surging runs (always sure to win 20 yards) and Henry’s crunching tackle to bring a jinking Harrogate run through the centre to an abrupt halt (just ahead of the Harrogate try). For Harrogate supporters: some excellent jinking and penetrating play from their back line.
Lowlights: some loose (blind) passing in the York back line and loss of rhythm forced by rapid pressing and tight defence by Harrogate.
Final thought: there was no kicking save for the occasional fly hack by Harrogate, when perhaps to relieve pressure or just to test the potential for more expansive play in what appeared to be ideal conditions, the risks may have been justified.
Game 2 – Drawn 10-10
York’s subs from the previous match entered the fray, this time with the sun in their eyes. And this time it was Harrogate who seized the initiative, first through a try on their left and next by a try down the centre through a woeful series of York missed tackled. Only a careless conversion, kicked left from in front of the posts on the second of these tries, and a brace of match saving tries from former Harrogate player Angus saved York from defeat. Both tries were on the left side, the first in immediate response to Harrogate’s opener from a feed by Bosy following a good platform from York’s front row, the second an explosive solo effort around the blind side following a Harrogate lineout. It was a fine surging run by Oscar down the left that gained the necessary territory and set up the second try scoring opportunity for York in the dying minutes. A tense finale.
York’s conversions, both close to the left touchline, were missed – left (by a smidgen) with the first, short with the second. Fine efforts, and surely to be improved upon (with practice) as the season goes on.
Highlights: Angus and, well, Angus. Good tidy play around the back of the scrum.
Lowlights: blinding sunshine and blindingly weak tackling (I thought).
Game 3 – York won 24-7
There was a lengthy pause at the end of the second game while Harrogate made significant changes to the team drawing on their 30+ squad members available on the day. Harrogate once more played into the sun.
First blood went to Harrogate with a pacey try right to left down the middle by one of their larger players. York tackling was once more conspicuous by its absence. The try was converted, 7-0 to Harrogate. York’s response was excellent however.
Good tight play in York’s forwards, closely supported by their back line drove Harrogate back on their right side. Charlie scored the try just to the left of the posts, but missed the conversion. Advantage Harrogate - briefly. York’s second try followed rapidly on the heels of the first, soon after the re-start with a score down the left side by Dan after a tidy York scrum. York ahead 12-7 with (I think) a good conversion. York’s third try followed in the tracks of some heated exchanges between the forward lines close to the Harrogate line on York’s left. Play passed over to the right hand side and winger Chris Nelson was fed cleanly by Jack 5 yards out to jink inside Harrogate’s defence for the score. The conversion was short. Score 17-7 to York.
York’s final try was the result of fine teamwork and good individual effort by Zak as he touched down to the left side of the posts to allow Jack Williams a well taken conversion just before the final whistle. Final score 24-7 to York.
Highlights: teamwork, particularly in the loose, around the forward plays; excellent support play by the forwards and perseverance by the backs.
Lowlights: play a wee bit too aggressive at times, both teams at fault – control it guys.
Final thought: although this final game proved relatively straightforward for York, the day as a whole represented by far the hardest test for York so far this season, against a well drilled Harrogate squad displaying considerable promise for the future. York could consider themselves fortunate to survive unbeaten over the three games. Though once more (as in every game so far this season) the list of York try scorers lengthened – that’s good.

BILL NELSON