York v Huddersfield 4th November 2012 (Away fixture, Lockwood Park)

An interesting morning’s play in the scenic surroundings of the Holme Valley and 32 arch Lockwood Viaduct. There was plenty to ponder afterwards over a pint in the old brewery (Bentley and Shaws, now home to Huddersfield RUFC) ahead of York’s second round Yorkshire Cup match to Sandal the following weekend.
Each of York’s try scorers deserve particular mention, James Mahon for his first try for many a game, Jack for his second in consecutive fixtures and Alastair it was felt, reached some way towards his fine form of last season with no less than four of York’s six tries. All but York’s penultimate try were scored off the back of forward moves and full credit must go to the front five in both halves for providing a sound platform for play by the back row and backs. The strong physical challenge and constant threat posed by York’s back row forwards is also worthy of mention and full credit must go to York’s back line and their defensive work in nullifying the Huddersfield attack and maintaining the winning margin.
York kicked off the first half playing right to left, as viewed from the viaduct, in misty but dry conditions. They were quickly into their stride with Bosy driving around the left side of a ruck to set up Alastair for a drive low over the line among a sea of bodies for the first score. Charlie was unlucky not to convert 5 yards in from the left touchline, the ball bouncing back and from high up on the right hand post. James Mahon was soon to follow with an opportunistic try round the blind side of some loose play on the right. This time Charlie didn’t miss, with a well-weighted conversion nicely between the posts. 12-0 to York.
At this point the speed, aggression and freedom in York’s play allowed them to exert some dominance over proceedings and two more tries followed before halftime. The first of these followed a short period of play where Huddersfield had successfully stabilised matters through some steady forward play and intelligent kicking. However, the kicking from York was more penetrating and York’s forwards took full advantage of a kick from Charlie to mid way into the Huddersfield twenty-two. A well-executed ruck allowed Angus a pick-up and charge for the line around the open side only to be held inches short. With quick support from the forwards the ball was quickly re-cycled and Alastair fed for his second score. Charlie’s conversion just inside the left post extended York’s lead to 19-0.
The final try of the half was courtesy of quick thinking by Max Courtis as he took a quick penalty 10 yards out on the right and passed out to Alastair for his hat-trick almost unopposed. Unfortunately Charlie’s conversion attempt was short on this occasion. 24-0 to York.
Huddersfield’s best opportunity of the half came immediately following York’s fourth try. They caught York on the back foot by taking the re-start directly to York’s back line, winning control of the ball in subsequent loose play and kicking downfield to space in the corner on York’s right side. Charlie at full back was first in the chase by a whisker and touched down for the twenty-two re-start. Huddersfield took the ball well from the re-start and were quick to resume their attack down the left side before the whistle blew for half time.
The York coach rang the changes at half time replacing the entire front row of Angus, Adam and Harrison with Patrick, Henry and Tom and bringing Ben on to replace James Black at outside centre. The third quarter was a stalemate with solid tackling on both sides, good discipline from both sets of forwards and probing attacks from both back lines. Towards the end of the quarter and with no further score York made further changes, first with James Black returning to the action in place of Harry Taylor and later on Harrison replacing Isaac Wilson in the second row and Angus on for Isaac Philips at flanker. Early in the third quarter Harry Taylor replaced Max who had by this time taken over duties on the wing after an early swap with Ben for the fly half role. Adam also returned to the action as flanker in place of Bosy.
York finally broke through Huddersfield’s defence in the second half with a snappily taken touchdown by Jack in the left corner immediately off the back of the breakdown 5 yards out. The conversion was pulled just left. 29-0 to York. Huddersfield however were quick to respond, their full back catching York off guard and taking full advantage of hesitancy on the right side of York’s back line to cross the try line and run in for a conversion just left of centre. This was pulled just left. 29-5 to York.
The final try of the match was the result of handling errors in the Huddersfield back line and quick pressing by York. Having won a scrum on the ten metre line on their right side, in what appeared to be a comfortable position Huddersfield fumbled the ball in their back line and York took full advantage. In the ensuing maul their forwards stole the ball and Alastair was released for his fourth try in the left corner. Charlie was able to cap a good York performance with a fine conversion from just inside the left touch line.
Final score: York 36 Huddersfield 5.