York v Middlesborough 28th October (Clifton Park)

A game where James Mahon put a rare boot on the ball (a nice kick it was too – to space), Tom had his first go at hooking and Jack was finally rewarded with a try – long overdue, well deserved and his first of the season. It was also the most colourful game of the season in otherwise damp and dreary conditions, Angus bringing yet more variety to the mix of scrum caps, Charlie’s orange boots and a sea of umbrellas. Check out some great photos.
York came into this match on the back of a difficult away fixture at Sandal while Middlesborough had enjoyed a highly promising start to their own season with a string of high scoring victories and a hard fought win over Durham City, a team which York had edged out of last year’s Harrogate Festival at the semi final stage. Dan, Adam and Ben Wilkinson were back in the York line up, while Sam Young with bandaged wrist joined the banks of supporters on the sidelines. Alastair Browne and Max Courtis retained their places in the starting line-up for what was set to be an exciting encounter. And so it proved.
York kicked off play at 11am on the pitch to the clubhouse side of the flood bank. The conditions could only be described as grey and dreary with the temperature in the range 5-10 deg C and spitting rain. As viewed from the river side, York played the first half left to right. Reserves at the start of the first half were Patrick, Herby and Tom.
Middlesborough were fast out of the blocks forcing play through their heavy forward line back to York’s twenty-two. However, York were equally quick to relieve the pressure, though a lengthy kick by fly half Max Courtis upfield to the left touchline. A scrum shortly after the lineout and well inside Middlesborough’s own twenty-two resulted in a well-worked York try. Playing at No.8, Alastair Browne picked up, drove hard around the blind side and released Jack in the tackle to score in the left corner. York ahead 5-0. Unfortunately Jack’s conversion was pulled just left of the posts, but with York’s quick and fearless play in the loose from all quarters and Middlesborough’s heavy forward line the pattern was set for rest of the first half.
York were next to post points through a penalty kick taken from 15 metres out in front of the posts by Max Courtis. 8-0 to York. At this point, with the eight point cushion and York having the better of the play, Tom was brought in at hooker, Angus moved to blind side flanker and Adam moved across to open side flanker while Dan pushed into the back line beyond James M at outside centre, winger Harry Taylor dropping to the sideline as James B was pushed out to the wing. Charlie rested at Full Back. Shortly afterwards Herby replaced Harrison at tighthead prop.
The remainder of the half was played across the halfway line by both sides as first York, through a more rampaging style of play, and then Middlesborough with their heavy forwards and nippy back line took the initiative. Handling mistakes meant neither team could stamp their full authority on the game and the score remained unchanged for the remainder of the half.
There had been some promising spells for York in the second quarter however, the highlight being perhaps a charge from Adam Brown towards the Middlesborough twenty-two following stolen ball at the breakdown outside a Middlesborough lineout. Although lost to Middleborough when held up and passed down their line, the ball was won back and eventually recycled by York down their own line to the left. Only an unlucky knock-on by Zak prevented a likely try. There was good work by York’s forwards throughout the half, quick to drop into the line in support of their backs, while all players could be commended for their quick pressing and defensive play, a feature of York’s game which is difficult to counter.
At the start of the second half Angus, Harry T and Harrison were sidelined as Middlesborough kicked off to York’s right. Zak took the ball well and York were soon to win the penalty from which the ball was kicked to right touch. At the lineout, Middlesborough broke through, York recovered and the ball was fed quickly down the York line left. Max kept things tidy and fed Ben out on the left wing where he was held up. Middlesborough then won a scrum from a York knock on. They passed down their line to York’s right where York once more emerged victorious at the breakdown to pass the ball once more down their own line left. This time however they were pushed into touch and Middleborough had the lineout, an outcome that clearly worked to York’s advantage in the play that followed. Middleborough were unable to establish any degree of control or solid platform following the lineout. There was loose ball on both sides, but with the play pushing back towards the Middleborough line, Adam’s breakthough to score York’s second try 10 yards to the left of the posts came as little surprise to onlookers. Jack converted, 15-0 to York.
Adam followed up his try with an excellent charge through Middlesborough’s forwards from the re-start, though he was eventually slowed and pushed out right. Middlesborough rallied strongly from the lineout however and were able to use their superior weight to bulldozer downfield, reaching first the York 10 metre line and then, following a penalty, York’s 22 metre line. At this point York finally arrested the surge and drove Middlesborough back for a lineout on the right. Harry Taylor and Angus replaced Ben and Bosy at this point.
Shortly after the lineout York were awarded a scrum just their side of halfway on the right side. It was after winning this scrum that James Mahon made his kick to space over the halfway to the left side and brought play once more into the danger area from where York had scored their previous two tries. Dan and Charlie were quick to work the ball from the loose on the left side and although it was ultimately lost, Middlesborough found themselves unable to escape their twenty-two in the face of some determined York pressing. Some excellent tackling by James Black forced a Middlesborough knock-on and it was from the subsequent scrum that York scored their third. The ball came out to Dan and he was not to be stopped, handing off one opponent before breaking through a tackle to score his own try 10 yards to the left of the posts. Jack Williams’ conversion brought the score to 22-0 to York.
At this point Bosy was brought on for Alastair at No.8 as the game moved into its final quarter. Middlesborough sensed the opportunity at the re-start and through great energy in their back line would have scored in the left corner due to slackening York defense, but for a foot out in the tackle. York failed to heed the signs and were overrun at their lineout, Middlesborough’s forwards breaking through and driving hard at the blind side for the score on York’s right. The conversion was short, but Middlesborough had made their mark. York 22 Middlesborough 5.
The remainder of the game was far from dull as York’s pace slackened and Middlesborough sought to take advantage. And they nearly did. Following a number of drives by James B and the forwards up the blind side of set pieces on the right, Middlesborough were awarded a succession of penalties and from the second of these the ball was passed down the line to York’s left. It was only hesitation at the end of the Middlesborough back line when just 5 yards out in the corner that allowed York the necessary time to rally and prevent an almost certain score. In the loose play that immediately followed there was some excitement in an interception and breakaway by Adam and as the clock ran down to the final whistle there were a number of York kicks to space on the left (one of which led to a penalty for offside) and some excellent driving by Middlesborough’s pack. Their strong Number 4 enjoyed a particularly good game, doing well to stay on his feet when others would have dropped and providing a solid rallying point for his teammates.
Applause at the end was well deserved by both sides. York 22 Middlesborough 5.
The teams may yet meet again should they progress in the second round of the Yorkshire Cup.
Positives: a solid team performance against a strong Middlesborough team with great potential.
Negatives: need to keep the concentration up for the full game guys – however long it seems; don’t let them score.
Final thought: York’s penalty score in the first half a sign that the team is leaving junior rugby behind perhaps?