SPIRITED PERFORMANCE AGAINST STRONG OPPOSITION!

Sandal kicked off into a slight head wind. As York collected the ball they were awarded a penalty for a high tackle by Sandal. As York try to run the ball from defense with a series of forward drives, they loose possession and as Sandal mount their first attack the ball is moved wide, Sandal create a man overlap and score in the corner. (0-5). York press from the restart and catch Sandal in possession but they manage to clear the ball. As York attack again they are forced into touch on the Sandal 22. Shortening the line to 4 by Sandal catches York out as they are penalised for too many players in the line. Sandal failed to find touch and York counter attack but are held. As York attack again they are held and loose possession only for Sandal to break away and a neat slip-pass brings up their second try. (0-10). Playing with confidence, Sandal catch the York restart and try to attack out wide only to knock-on. Sandal continue to press their advantage and are hindered as much by their own errors as they are by the York defense. As Sandal becomes encamped on the York line, only solid forward defense keeps them out. As York win a scrum on their own line, their clearance kick fails to find touch. Sandal collects the ball and set up an attacking movement which brings them their third try: in the corner. (0-15). Not deterred York chase the restart as Sandal fail the collect ball and knock-on. A chip and chase by York sees Sandal having to touch down over their own line for a 5m scrum. A York pick-up and drive is held up by Sandal on the line. As Sandal try to break out of defense they put up a long cross-kick which they follow up well and catch York without any cover. They collect the ball and race over in the corner. (0-20). Again York attack right from the restart as Sandal fumble when collecting the kick. York moves the ball wide but loose the ball to Sandal in the tackle. Sandal counter attack and almost score but York win a scrum 5m out from their own line. As the ball goes loose Sandal hands are quicker to it but their attack breaks down as they knock-on. The half-time whistle brings play to a halt.
HALF TIME : YORK 0 SANDAL 20.

Squad rotation and a number of positional changes see a reshaped York facing a Sandal team with fewer changes. Four tries down and having to play into the stiffening breeze: the odds did not favour York. Sandal took the York start well but as they were held York were penalised in the ensuing ruck. Sandal fail to find touch but as York gather the ball and try to set up play they are robbed of possession only to see Sandal race away for a try. This time converted. (0-27). The reshaped York backs are becoming more effective as they settle and the game is becoming highly spirited as York try hard to make a belated come back. The York restart takes play into the Sandal 22 where a wind assisted kick helps them clear their half. A short series of kicking and penalties sees play swing from one 22 to the other. As York win possession on the Sandal 22 a speedy passing movement moves the ball out to the wing to give Alex Barnard a run to the corner where he finishes well. (5-27). York now play with more resolve as Sandal concede penalties in frustration. York try to build attacks from disrupted possession as Sandal still maintain an edge in being getting hands on any loose ball. York eventually get a back movement going and with their number 8 joining line, give their winger, Alex Barnard space to dash in at the corner. (10-27). York loose the ball when tackled right from the restart and Sandal earn themselves a scrum on the York 22. Sandal breaks from the back of the scrum and missed York tackles allows them to score wide out. (10-32). With their tails up again, Sandal collect the York restart, immediately run the ball wide where they find space to score in the corner. (10-37). Not to be outdone, York respond almost as quickly. They gather the ball following their restart and set up a drive that takes play almost to the Sandal line. As York recycles the ball it is spun wide for Alex Barnard to finish well with a hat trick of tries. (15-37). With the result not in doubt, York attempt to redress some of the deficit as they immediately come back on the attack from Sandal restart. The final whistle halts play. It had been a hard lesson for York against one of the better teams the County has to offer. At times York demonstrated their full potential but, on the day, was inconsistent and punctuated by too many errors.

FULL TIME : YORK 15 SANDAL 37.

Try Scorer:

Alex Barnard (3)

Players Man of the Match:

Alex Barnard