York (U13) vs Sheffield (Home)

Sheffield a couple of folks down, so one York player to rotate through in a game of 4 quarters, 2 halves, and partridge in a pear tree.

Mr Harrison appeared like Lazarus from his death bed; a miraculous recovery after being AWOL last night due to bubonic plague. He had obviously stole out of the house quietly though, as he was wearing Mrs H’s finest Uggs, combined with some colourful toe warmers out of his daughter’s sock drawer. Thank goodness he was running touch, so it didn’t look as though he was with us.

On with the Game.

First Quarter

Sheffield k/o and York clear it back to touch at the half-way. The Sheffield line-out is stolen by York. Will K takes the ball across the field and passes through to Andre who runs it in under the posts to open the scoreline in the first couple of minutes (5-0); Connor converts (7-0).

Sheffield restart, and get a scrum 20m into the York half, which they win and move play on to the York 22m line. York recover it and try to take play into the Sheffield half, but knock the ball on. Another scrum to Sheffield, who have a large pack, and once again win it. Play is mainly in the York half, and the lads are looking a little match rusty. Another knock-on by York, and a scrum to Sheffield at the York 22m line, which they win. The big Sheffield pack go for a maul to try and push through the York defence, but it’s held-up, and York get their first scrum. York win their scrum, and try to get the ball cleared out of their half, but Sheffield are keeping them pinned down. York knock-on again and it’s yet another scrum to Sheffield at the York 22m line. Sheffield win it but Ben manages to get hold of the ball and at last clear it up to half-way.

Sheffield win their line-out and take play back into the York half, the ball goes into touch though, and York have their first line-out of the game mid-way in their half; unfortunately the line-out is stolen by Sheffield. A clever tap by Sheffield into open space beyond the York 22m line, and the chase is on by Sheffield, led by Barney (who is lending his services to the visitors in this quarter). Harry manages to get to the ball and knock it into touch just before Barney gets to it. Play continues in the York half, where it has for most of this first period of the game. York are awarded a scrum at their 22m line, and win it. At last Toby breaks away with the ball and runs deep into the Sheffield half; he passes it across to Andre to finish it off by the posts (12-0); Andre converts (14-0). End of first quarter.

Second Quarter

Sheffield restart the game; Barney has switched back to York and Harry has lined up with the Sheffield Backs. Ben kicks the ball back to the half-way and York follow-up, but infringe. Sheffield scrum at half-way, and their Forwards continue to win their scrums. York not gelling quite yet – some good play, but also some loose mistakes. Penalty to Sheffield as York fail to roll away in the ruck; kicked to the York 22m line. The Sheffield line-out is won by them, but York pressuring well and push the play backwards to the York 10m line. A scrum awarded to York at their 10m line, but Sheffield come away with the ball and take it wide across the pitch, then run it through to score (14-5); no conversion.

York restart and follow-up the ball well winning a line-out. They collect the ball nicely and then work the ball wide across to the other side of the pitch. Good ground made by Steele, though he is thwarted by Harry from getting all the way. Good follow-up support by York though and a collective attack by Toby, Andre and others pays dividends; Andre eventually breaking through from 15m out to score (19-5); conversion hits the upright.

Sheffield restart; York knock-on, and Sheffield get the scrum at the York 22m line, which they win and make a break for the York try-line. The York defence holds out though, and there is a tussle at 3m from the York try-line. Better rucking by York, and Ben tries to clear it 20m upfield, but it’s caught by one of the Sheffield Backs at a full running pace and brought back to the York 22m line. York manage to clear the ball to touch. Sheffield win their line-out, but Ben manages to clear it to touch at the York 10m line. Sheffield take a quick line-out, and are looking to press the York defence again. York manage to win the ball back though, and Barney makes a terrific run from the half-way line, with several defenders in pursuit (24-5); no conversion.

Sheffield restart and they continue to keep York pinned down mainly in their own half. York penalised for playing the ball on the ground in a ruck. Sheffield kick their penalty to the York 22m line. Sheffield win their line-out and try to set up a maul. End of quarter/first half. Half time score York 24-5 Sheffield.

Third Quarter

York k/o and Sheffield get a break through the York line (Sam is assisting Sheffield in this quarter). The last line of defence is Andre, who manages to stop the try. Play moves back to the half-way line, but Sheffield continue to press hard and to start the second half; Ben kicks it back deep; York have the advantage of the wind behind them this half. Leo chases Ben’s kick, and puts pressure onto the Hull defence a few metres out. Kick it to touch at the York 22m line. The York line-out is not straight, and Sheffield get a scrum at the York 22m line. Sheffield win their scrum, and York try to ruck it back; side entry by Sheffield and it’s a York penalty. The York Forwards working better now. Fraser has a bit of a run with the ball in hand as well. Connor makes a dart through some of the Sheffield defence and gets the ball through to Harry, who nearly gets through to score but is tackled. Several other York players trying to get through the Sheffield defence, and York looking to be a lot more awake in this second half now. Sheffield clear the ball into touch, and it’s a York line-out 5m from the Sheffield try-line. Fraser collects the ball and sets up a maul; York drive it forward a little and Connor comes off the back to score in the corner (29-5); no conversion.

Sheffield restart, and York more focused and sharp. Connor nearly breaks through the Sheffield defence. Sheffield get a scrum and clear the ball to touch well into York territory. York line-out lost, but ball regained and taken back into the Sheffield half. Good mauling by Sheffield, whose pack continue to use their physical size to good effect. Sheffield get another scrum, win it and clear the ball. Finn has a good run back into Sheffield territory, but is high tackled. After the restart Andre weaves through 5 or 6 defenders from 15m out and scores (34-5); Harry converts (36-5).

Sheffield restart, but York are fired up and test the Sheffield defence – Connor, Will K, Barney and others all having a go. End of 3rd Quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Andre has turned his shirt inside out and is lined up with the Sheffield Backs.

York restart. Fraser has a bit of a run, and heads in the direction of Andre, who kind of tackles him. York looking sharper and focused now. Steele makes a great Steal interception, and breaks through the Sheffield defence, passes to Will K to score (41-5); no conversion.

Sheffield restart, and get a scrum at the half-way line. York come away with the ball though, then knock it on. Another scrum to Sheffield; then another at the York 10m line. Play mostly in York territory as Sheffield press hard to score, with York knock-ons not helping matters. Eventually York get the play into Sheffield territory. New boy Sam is having a good game, making some good yardage, and using his strength and size to good effect. Connor and Steele combine well after stealing the ball from a Sheffield scrum. But would you believe it – Andre gets the ball and runs from the half-way line chased by his former team mates to score for Sheffield (41-10); no conversion.

After the York restart some great player combinations – notably Toby, Steele, Zak, Connor and Will K working cleverly together to take the ball through the Sheffield defence. Their efforts are rewarded as Connor scores (46-10); no conversion.

The last play of the match then, with both sides clearly very keen to continue playing, and managing to keep it going for another 10 mins back and forward.

Congratulations to both sides for a hard fought, tiring and good-spirited match.

Final Score York 46-10 Sheffield