York v West Park Leeds 2nd December 2012

Playing squad
Starters: Angus, Harrison, Zak, Oscar, Alfie, Isaac, Bosy, Adam, Alastair, James M, Max C, Jack, Dan, James B, Foxy, Charlie
Subs: Herbie, Henry, Suttee, Chris, Harry T

York’s fourteenth game of the season and the final competitive fixture for both teams before their third round fixtures the following weekend in the Yorkshire Cup. The match was played in bright sunshine with a delayed kick-off due to a hard overnight frost. Both teams were well supported, there were some strong individual performances and there were one or two stand-out moments of fine flowing rugby that might have comfortably befitted the game at more senior levels. Perhaps the performance of both sides was inspired by local man Stuart Lancaster leading his team to their great 38-21 victory over the All Blacks the previous afternoon at Twickenham. The only criticism of an otherwise fine performance by York was the penalty count against – largely unnecessary and for want of just a little more discipline...

York broke an early deadlock after 5 minutes having kicked off left to right with the sun behind them. The score was a rare try from Harrison Savage following in the wake of a marauding attack down the right side of the field. The move was instigated by Alistair Browne, playing at number 8. The pass right to Jack was followed by a cut inside from Dan before resuming play down the line and up field through Charlie and James Black. Harrison’s touch down 5 yards in from the right touchline was a determined effort from the breakdown that followed. The conversion was pulled left by Charlie Hudson. 5-0.

West Park’s response on 10 minutes was a mirror image of the first try on York’s left. On this occasion the conversion was short 5-5. Parity was short-lived however, with York pulling ahead 2 minutes later courtesy of a Charlie Hudson clearance to the left side and a fine follow-up and score in the left corner by Max Boswell. The conversion was pulled left and short. 10-5 to York. Sensing the weakness, each of York’s next three tries in the first half were down the left side. The first was scored by Dan Watson after a text book steal from the kick-off by Bosy and pass down the line. The second was Alistair Browne’s solo effort from a turned over West Park scrum on their 10 metre line. The third followed the introduction of York’s substitutes and was Dan’s once more, on this occasion carrying the ball to the centre for an easy conversion under the posts. 27-5 to York.

At this moment West Park were playing for their pride and a vociferous home support urged their team to a fine second try. It was scored after exerting considerable pressure on the York line and forcing a rushed clearance from James Mahon. The kick from under the posts was charged down for the score and a comfortable conversion. 27-12 to York at halftime.

The second half was a more equal affair with more robust defending by West Park, encouraged perhaps by their efforts in the final moments before the break. York’s only two tries of the second half both came from overlaps and quick movement of the ball down the line, the first from Harry Taylor on the right wing and the second from Dan running in from the left to put down between the uprights for his hat trick and an easy conversion by Charlie Hudson. Other highlights of the second half for York included an excellent try saving tackle from Foxy at full back in the period between the two scores and a line hugging run down the left by Chris Nelson at wing – with interesting hand-offs.
Final score: York 39 West Park Leeds 12.