York v Doncaster 14th October 2012

Playing Squad: Angus Wilson (1), Henry Barker (2), Patrick James (3), Isaac Wilson (4), Harry Suter (5), Harrison Savage, Alfie Douglas (19), Oscar Hales (20), Max Boswell (6), Daniel Watson (7), Marcus Dobson (18), Adam Brown (8), Isaac Philips (9), Samuel Young (15), James Mahon (12), Harry Taylor (14), Ben Wilkinson (17), Jack Williams (10), James Black (13), Chris Nelson (11), Max Foxcroft (24), Charlie Hudson (23).
Non-playing Squad (injured): Alastair Browne, Max Courtis
The match kicked off at 11am in near perfect conditions on the York 2nd XV Pitch, with Doncaster playing into bright sunshine with a definite Autumn chill in the air. The match proved to be a highly entertaining and absorbing spectacle with players of both sides performing at a good level. There was sustained hunger, controlled aggression and determination, neither side ready to relinquish opportunities or cede territory easily. There was also sufficient freedom and creativity in both sides’ style of play and from every individual quarter to keep the full attention of both sets of supporters. Overall and regardless of the result, both teams could take considerable pride in their morning’s play.
York got play underway and, as is their way, established a good early rythm which was soon to win them the advantage. There were strong probing runs into the Doncaster line from the likes of Zak and Bosy around the York pack, while Isaac at scrum half maintained a steady feed to York’s back line from the break down. The breakthrough ultimately came in the wake of Adam’s first telling push out left, following James B’s well-picked run through the centre in the build up. The penalty was won and ball fed to Angus who drove at the line only to fall inches short in the face of stout Doncaster defending. York were able to maintain possession however and the ball was seized from behind the ensuing ruck by Zak who ran neatly round the blind side for a try in the left corner. The first of several excellent conversions by Charlie followed. 7-0 to York.
Doncaster kicked to York’s right at the re-start and the playing rythm was once more established with York’s probing attacks left, right and centre from all quarters, while Doncaster absorbed the pressure well. James M found some extra penetration in jinking probing runs through the centre while Dan and other members of the forward line were able to take stronger, more direct lines into the Doncaster ranks. James B and Charlie Hudson offered good penetration from the centre on both sides of the pitch and all players displayed good levels of determination and decision making at the breakdown.
York’s next score came at the end of a short period of play that typified much of the first half up to that point. Initially, a move to the left down York’s back line was run to ground by Doncaster with a weak final pass behind Harry T on the wing. The ball was eventually recovered however and the next move was a similar move, but on the right and higher up the pitch. In mirror image fashion Charlie made the pass under pressure to Chris Nelson, but this time perfectly weighted 10 yards out for a simple touchdown textbook fashion in the corner. Unfortunately the conversion, though arrowed perfectly straight, dropped 5 yards short. 12-0 to York.

Doncaster rallied strongly at the re-start and some hesitancy in York’s play and a kick under pressure to their full back allowed them to hit back almost immediately. Driving with great determination into the heart of York’s forward line, their full back released their big man at Number 13 who proved unstoppable. Adam’s direct approach in the tackle proved unsuccessful and others in York’s back line were too slow in the follow-up allowing an easy breakaway and touch down between the posts. The conversion was comfortably taken. York 12-7 Doncaster.

There was aggression, perhaps a desire for redemption and certainly revenge in York’s third try soon after the re-start. On reflection, the speed and apparent ease of the response served well to discourage any stirrings of unease, hope or doubt and perhaps even to instill an air of inevitability about the final result. Adam’s determined drive upfield on the heels of a marauding effort by York’s forwards from the re-start provided the perfect platform for the try. The initiative was won by Adam in his drive that was held just short of the line. He then picked up from the ensuing scrum and drove round the right side to score under pressure just to the left of the posts. If at first you don’t succeed .. Charlie converted with ease. 19-7 to York.

This time Doncaster probed York’s left side with their re-start. Fortunately, from a careless knock-on York were able to regain control from a rare steal in the ensuing scrum. The success was short lived however due to some careless passing in the York back line and Doncaster made best efforts to reduce the deficit through relentless pressure from their forwards down York’s right side. York were once more made to defend at the scrum, this time on their right, but on this occasion Doncaster fed the ball cleanly down their back line and it was only a crunching last ditch tackle from Dan on Doncaster’s right touchline and a kick to space from Charlie that broke Doncaster’s momentum immediately before the break.

The second half started much like the first half with sustained York pressure in the Doncaster half; this despite a raft of York substitutions. It culminated 5 minutes into the half with a try in the left corner. An excellent run from the halfway line through Doncaster’s right flank by Dan broke down only 10 yards out with a knock on by Jack under pressure. This resulted in a scrum from which first Ben and then his teammates were able to seize the initiative, allowing Bosy a hard worked individual try in the left corner. An excellent conversion by Charlie in off the right upright drew cheers from spectators and extended York’s lead to 26-7.

The remainder of the second half provided an entertaining spectacle despite lacking any further scores. Numerous set scrums and lineouts provided good practice for both teams, with Doncaster a little too hasty in the scrums on a few too many occasions, but achieving some success in the lineouts. There was also a second try from Bosy, adjudged to be held up and therefore not allowed. The opportunity was taken to rotate some of York’s players from the sidelines and for much of the final quarter of the match York were on the defensive as Doncaster secured a degree of control and inched the play up the field to just beyond the halfway line. There were a few more occasions when York might have broken through – generally on the wings. The same could also be said of Doncaster who were thwarted on a number of occasions by some much improved York tackling.

Final score: York 26 – 7 Doncaster

Highlights: good communication and team spirit on both sides; much improved York tackling including at least two try saving tackles by York’s Charlie Hudson on the Doncaster No.13, James M’s and Dan’s tackling first half and Foxy’s perfectly executed tackle on the right in the second half; an excellent conversion rate by Charlie from out wide; Jack’s charge down in the second half in front of the Doncaster uprights; Harrison’s second half drive for the line immediately ahead of Bosy’s second try; yet another highly impressive performance by a debutant, this time Ben Wilkinson.
Lowlights: occasionally a little hesitancy in the tackle, mainly in open play; on occasion, a blindness to men over in the line; very chilly out of the sun.
Unsung moments: every moment of both halves by the York front row – tough work in the scrums, excellent teamwork and fighting spirit in the loose; Harry Taylor’s intelligent work around the mauls in the first half.