U13 Yorkshire Cup Semi-Final York vs Hull (Home)

The sunny weather had clearly brought an outbreak of sensible clothing selection as well. No inappropriate attire to be seen this week, not even from the serial offenders. Progress indeed.

On with the Game.

First Half

Hull kick-off and York send it back to them, and follow-up. Unfortunate knock-on by York around the Hull 10m line. First scrum to Hull, who win it and send it back into the York half. Tom kicks the ball across pitch and deep into Hull territory. Harry chases after it and kicks it along the ground, across the try-line, then drops onto it to open the scoring (5-0); no conversion.

Hull restart, and Connor sends it back. Hull come back with the ball and try to break through the York defence, but Connor holds them up before they can go to ground. Hull try a maul, but the York pack are there in numbers and hold them up. Scrum to York at their 10m line, but they lose it for an infringement. Hull push on but when they try to break through end up with a player being isolated and tackled by Connor (not releasing); penalty to York at their 22m line, which is kicked up to half-way. The York line-out is collected by Fraser and the York pack gather round and drive play another 10-15m forward in a lovely maul. Hull infringe under pressure and the York penalty is kicked to the Hull 10m line; frustratingly York lose their line-out though. Hull try to get a maul going, but can’t progress, and York get a scrum around the Hull 22m line. The York scrum working better, and the ball comes out, and is fired across a long line of York Backs to the other side of the pitch for Tom to run it in from 30m out (10-0); no conversion.

Hull restart, and York knock-on at their 22m line. Scrum to Hull, which they win. York then penalised for coming in at the side of the ruck. Fortunes reversed again when Hull are penalised for holding on in the ruck; penalty to York. York tackling well (Andre particularly at this moment) and Hull attackers finding themselves isolated. Another penalty to York at their 10m line, which is kicked deep into the Hull half, and chased by York. York pressing for another score, and they get close, but infringe by the Hull try-line; the resulting penalty to Hull is kicked to their 22m line. The Hull line-out is won by Fraser though. York have the ball but are taken into touch; another Hull line-out and it’s again won by Fraser (there are some advantages to being 17 feet tall). Hull infringe with an off-side and York get a penalty. Tom and Leo combine well on the restart, and make for the Hull try-line; Leo is a foot short with his out-stretched arm though. York Forwards get there in support and win the ball back, and it’s fired across a long line of York Backs for Harry to score his second of the day (15-0); no conversion.

Hull restart, and it’s kicked back by York. Andre chases hard after the ball and tackles the receiving Hull player on their 22m line. York still in possession. Leo and Tom combine well again running and supporting, with Tom making the final score (20-0); no conversion.

Hull restart. York start to run it back up the pitch, but unfortunately knock it on at their 22m line. Hull scrum, but the ball isn’t coming in straight, and York get the penalty. York working the ball back up the pitch, and get a scrum at their own 10m line, but infringe and hand a penalty to Hull. York keep the pressure on and get play back into Hull territory, forcing an error by Hull at their 22m line (not releasing in the ruck). Some further terrific play by the York Backs sees out the first half.

Second Half

York kick-off, with the sun behind them now. Penalty to York around the Hull 10m line, which is quickly taken and Leo runs 40m to the try-line (25-0); Will K converts (27-0).

Hull restart, and York run it back towards then, but are taken into touch. The Hull line-out at their 10m line is won (York knocking on anyway). Scrum to Hull, but the York pack are working hard together and drive them back. Hull penalised (infringement unknown), and York take the penalty at the Hull 10m line. York continuing to work hard to find gaps in the Hull defence. Line-out to York; Fraser tips it back and York push on again, but are taken into touch by the Hull 10m line. York infringe in the Hull line-out, and Hull get another scrum. Period of loose play by York for a couple of minutes with some unforced errors. Play halted by the Ref., who’s spotted that Hull have 16 players on the field at present. Play resumes with a Hull scrum, which the York pack drive them off. The ball is kicked through low and chased by Andre, with two Hull defenders also trying to get the ball. Great support by Toby who pounces on the ball whilst it is loose at the try-line (32-0); no conversion.

Hull restart and force a penalty half way into York territory. Then York get a penalty at their own 22m line. Line-out to York and then Hull judged not to be straight. York take the scrum 30m from the Hull try-line; Hull push before the ball is in and York get a penalty which is kicked and chased. Great interplay by Barney, Tom and Toby getting the ball close to the Hull try-line, and Andre collects the ball and runs it through (37-0); Connor converts (39-0).

Hull restart, and force a York knock-on at their 22m line. Hull win their scrum, but York win it back and clear it deep. York get a penalty at the Hull 22m line, which is sent wide along the Backs for Barney to run it into the corner (44-0); no conversion.

Under the rules of the Yorkshire Cup, York are awarded the win by virtue of their 40 point margin.

Both sides agree to play out the last 5 minutes of time. No further scores.

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

Final Score York 44-0 Hull