U13 York vs Middlesbrough (Home)

Pleasing to see that there were no casualties from yesterday’s inflatable ball bashing bonanza; thanks to Steele for a terrific afternoon. A very cold day after an overnight frost had left the top surface a little firm, and it was agreed to play a touch rugby game. Despite the coldness there really was no excuse for the ridiculous paraphernalia adorning our beloved Team Manager’s head; it looked like he’d come off second best in a fight in a farmyard. Presumably he was arrayed thus as a (lost) wager, and will revert to more a dignified appearance next week (such as a pink trilby).

A good attendance by Middlesbrough and their supporters, who’d made the long journey southwards to support their lads.

Touch Rugby then - a good test of fitness, fast ball handling and spacial awareness. A succinct report to follow.

First Half

Boro k/o. York keep good possession for a couple of minutes, before Boro start to push back into the York half. Will K makes a couple of good runs down the wing deep into Boro territory. Although Boro trying to get play into the York half, York generally keeping them pinned down in their own half. The York pressure pays off as Tom runs through the Boro defence (5-0); Connor converts (7-0).

Boro restart, and York knock-on (cold hands). Boro testing the York defence, who hold out, with Toby running the ball across pitch into clearer space. Boro keep trying though and play is generally between the York 10m and 22m lines. Although York eventually get play up towards the Boro 10m line, Boro come back with a nice kick and chase to take play beyond the York 22m line, they then spread the play wide and manage to get through the York defence to score (7-5); no conversion.

York restart and follow-up well, with Andre taking play from the Boro 10m line to their 22m line; he gets the ball across to Will K on the wing, but Will can’t quite get through. Boro pinned down in the last few metres of their territory, but defending well. Play then switches deep into the York half as Boro kick the ball clear. Toby takes the ball back to within 10m of the Boro try-line, but its knocked into touch. York come close to scoring a couple of times, but get stopped a couple of metres from the Boro try-line. Half-time.

Second Half

York kick-off, and play continues deep in Boro half. Barney eventually nips through (12-5); no conversion.

Boro restart. Great run back down the pitch by Will K, passing through to Barney; play continues at the Boro 22m line. Will K and Barney link up together nicely again 10m out from the Boro try-line; this time Barney weaves his way through the defence and scores (17-5); Will K converts (19-5).

Boro restart and play is mostly around the half-way line. Boro push forwards to within 10m of the York try-line, but can’t get through. Play moves back into Boro territory, with Will K and Andre making good runs into the Boro half. The ball is sent quickly down the York line to Will K who has an overlap and he scores (24-5); no conversion.

Boro restart. Nice 15m run by Harry, and a good play by Finn who’s having a good game today. Tom M nearly gets through, but stopped. A short while later then Tom makes a terrific run of about ¾ of the pitch and is just “tap-tackled” a few metres from the try-line. Game over.

Final Score York 24-5 Middlesbrough