York (U13) vs Durham City (Home)

Frequent visitors to the river flood plain pitch will be aware that it can sometimes get a little soft underfoot. Imagine how foolish it is therefore to believe that Vorsprung durch Technik means that you don’t need pushing off the grass (Mr Stevens). The malaise of the tawdry après ski footwear made prevalent by Mr Harrison last week, had unfortunately spread to Mr Barker – I despair; get something normal on your feet guys, it’s not difficult. No the wonder we can’t get any fixtures. No sign of Mr Smart again – presumably another spell of bubonic plague in that part of York; at least the Rugby Planner is accurate for him – no idea.

On with the Game.

First Half

Durham kick-off and a York knock-on; the advantage is played out. A penalty to York then (handling in the ruck by Durham), and the ball is kicked to touch by the York 10m line. The Durham lads look a useful side, good size, and well drilled. Durham have the ball, but it’s well rucked by York and they come away with the ball around the half-way line. Andre kicks the ball into clear space deep behind the Durham defence, and it’s chased well by Leo. Durham just manage to kick it into touch 10m from their try-line. The resulting York line-out is knocked-on though, and Durham get a scrum, which they win. York get the ball back and try to clear it upfield from the Durham 22m line, but its charged down, and Durham breakaway to run it through and open the scoring (0-5); converted (0-7).

York restart and Durham knock-on at their 10m line; York scrum, which they win, but then can’t ship it our cleanly, and end up knocking-on. Some loose play by the lads in this first few minutes. Durham win their scrum, but York win the ball back and push towards the Durham corner. York (Steele and Leo) are nearly through, but the ball is held-up 1m out. York cleverly recycle the ball back across the pitch and stretch the game wide, with Andre running the ball in to open York’s scoring (5-7); Will K converts (7-7).

Durham restart and York collect the ball cleanly and run it back to the half-way line, then Andre kicks into space again, and Toby chases after it; under pressure Durham kick the ball into touch. It’s a York line-out 5m, but again they don’t win it. However, there is good follow-up pressure from York (Steele and others), and Durham have to defend behind the try-line, leading to a York scrum 5m out. The scrum is won and the ball is passed smartly along the Backs for Leo to run it in (12-7); no conversion.

Durham restart and Ben kicks it back to touch at the Durham 10m line. After the Durham line-out York is awarded a scrum 20m into Durham territory. The York Backs run the ball deeper into the Durham defence, with Leo brilliantly drawing the defenders towards him before off-loading to Will K who is in support and takes it through to score (17-7); no conversion.

Durham restart, and Will K runs it back into their territory. York pressing the Durham defence hard, but they can’t break through. York line-out near the Durham 22m line, which is taken cleanly, and a maul set-up, which drives play down beyond the Durham 10m line. York don’t “use it” though, and Durham get a scrum about 5m from their try-line, which they win. Good rucking by York to get the ball back, and it’s passed quickly along the Back line for Leo to score again (22-7); Connor converts (24-7). Half Time.

Second Half

York kick-off the second half, playing more into the wind this time. Durham come straight back though and take play well into York territory. York are awarded a scrum, which they win, and the Backs move the ball away smartly, but unfortunately knock-on. Durham scrum at the York 22m line. Durham working hard to even the scoreline up, and are awarded a line-out at the York 10m line, but it’s not straight. The York scrum is won, but Durham rip the ball back, and take play up to the York 22m line. York trying to clear the ball upfield, but great effort by Durham and this period of play is mostly in the York half. Durham set up a maul, but it’s held-up, and York get a scrum at their 22m line.

Both sides battling hard for the advantage. Durham line-out at half-way, but they knock it into touch, then a York line-out which they lose (knock-on). Scrum to Durham at the half-way line, which they win, but Connor is round quickly, and eventually York clear the ball into Durham territory. Durham are quickly back though, and run the ball wider and into the York half; Leo and Ben work well together to tackle the Durham breakaways near the York 10m line.

Durham get a penalty inside the York half, but York defend well, and Durham knock the ball on. York scrum 20m into their half, which is won and then York drive a maul forwards back into the Durham half. Barney runs the ball across the pitch and tries to get through the defence on the other side, off-loading the ball nicely to Toby. Good York pressure, but then end-up off-side. Penalty restart by Durham from their 10m line, and they run it towards York, who tackle well. Another good period of play by both sides. Durham have a line-out at their 10m line, which they win and run it forwards to their 22m line. Another penalty to Durham; again York respond well. Will S and Tom work together well to try and break through the Durham defence, but the ball is knocked-on. Durham scrum at their 10m line, and the York Forwards drive it back well. York scrum 5m from the Durham try-line, and York press hard but can’t break through; good defence by Durham.
Durham scrum at their 22m line, which they win, but York get the ball back, then pass it along the Backs and it looks like another break through, but the ball has been passed forward. Durham scrum 10m from their try-line, which they win, but York straight onto the defence, and there’s a scramble for the ball. Steele dives over the top of the pack and touches down (29-7); Connor unluckily hits the upright.

Durham restart and the ball goes into touch by the York 22m line. The York line-out is taken cleanly, with the ball coming out to Andre to kick it upfield. Durham run it back though, and are awarded a penalty when York put their hands in the ruck. York knock-on after the penalty, and it’s a scrum to Durham; York win against the head and clear the ball to the half-way line. Now Durham knock-on and York get the scrum at half-way; York win their scrum, but Durham pressing hard. Good contest around half-way.

Durham line-out at their 10m line, but they knock it on. York penalty and Andre breaks away and scores (34-7); no conversion.

The Durham restart is too long and goes out of play. York kick it to their 10m line The Durham line-out is lost by them, but then York take the ball into touch. This time Durham win their line-out. York don’t take the pressure off, and are straight after it and force an error for a scrum. York win their scrum and pass it along the Backs, but then spill it, for Durham to steal the ball and run it through (34-12); no conversion.

York restart and Durham run it back into York territory, but are taken into touch by Ben. Full time.

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

Final Score York 34-12 Durham City