U13 Huddersfield YMCA RUFC vs York (Away)

Not quite the full York turn-out this morning, with Connor heading for Huddersfield in Hampshire, Samuel not getting the message about the late fixture change, and Zak selling us the dummy “Yes” pass on the Rugby Planner.

So 12 York lads fine and true took their places on the pitch against the full 15 Huddersfield home side players.

I was so disturbed by this line-up imbalance that I barely had time to check out Mr Harrison’s garish stripey socks, setting off his natty suede slip-ons (these pairing up rather too nicely with Mr Stevens slightly more dapper suede slip-ons). Clearly being men of leisure has not improved their ability to dress like normal folk. Fortunately Mr Robson has stopped toying with flash-jacket fashion, and is now enjoying his new job as a postman.

On with the Game.

First Half

Huddersfield kick-off and York knock the ball into touch, The Huddersfield line-out is intercepted by Fraser though, and Toby takes the ball to the York Backs. The ball is kicked up to the Huddersfield 10m line, and chased by York. Great follow-up by Barney as he runs the ball through the defence and opens the scoring (0-5); Will K converts (0-7).

Huddersfield restart and the ball is taken cleanly by Steele. York pass it around and Andre kicks it to the Huddersfield 22m line. Huddersfield collect it and try to set a maul up, but Steele is in there again and rips the ball off them. Huddersfield keep pressing though and win the ball back and kick it to the York 22m line. York infringe and Huddersfield get the first scrum put in at the York 22m line, which they win (big sized pack). York are contesting in the ruck well though and regain possession, with Andre kicking the ball back up to the Huddersfield 10m line. Unfortunately, after a good chase, York knock-on and Huddersfield get another scrum, which they win. York are pressuring well despite their fewer numbers, and winning ball in the rucks. Barney makes another break and charges for the corner to score again (0-12); no conversion.

The fifth cavalry has arrived in the shape of Connor! York up to 13 players.

Huddersfield restart. York collect it and pass it along the Backs. Huddersfield challenging more strongly now in the ruck, but unfortunately knock-on. Scrum to York at their 22m line, which is won and Will S comes away with the ball from the back of the scrum and makes a break. He’s tackled around half-way and his floppy hair goes into touch. The line-out to Huddersfield is not clean, and York get a line-out at half-way, but Huddersfield snatch the ball and set up a great driving maul to take the York Pack back to their 22m line. Huddersfield pressing the York defence hard and nearly get a break through, but then knock-on. Scrum to York, which is won, but the ball goes into touch and Huddersfield get a line-out at the York 22m line. York win it and the ball comes to Steele who makes a break up the field and through to the Huddersfield 10m line; the ball goes into touch though. Line-out to Huddersfield at their 10m line, which is won by York. Huddersfield ruck well and win the ball back, their superior numbers telling at this stage.

York are playing determinedly and win it back and kick it to the Huddersfield 22m line, where it goes into touch. The Huddersfield line-out is won, but the York Forwards are contesting well, and win it back. Jay makes a nice 10m break, operating under the radar, to take play back up to the Huddersfield 22m line. Good support, to take it further up field, but unfortunately York knock-on again. Huddersfield scrum about 10m from their try-line. York penalised for off-side in the scrum, and Huddersfield clear the ball back to the half-way line from their penalty kick. Frustratingly York knock-on again and Huddersfield get a scrum around half-way, which they win. Though York regain possession, some loose passing by the York Backs results in a knock-on at the York 10m line. Another scrum to Huddersfield, and the York Pack drive them back, but Huddersfield just manage to hold onto it. Huddersfield penalised for not releasing in the ruck and York finally are able to relieve the pressure.

Rather than kicking, York run it back up the pitch to the Huddersfield 10m line. Concentration not sharp enough though, and the ball is lost passing along the York Backs. Scrum to Huddersfield, but the York Pack is getting the measure of them and drive the Huddersfield Pack back to win the ball. Steele comes away with the ball, and moves play forwards. Huddersfield penalised for playing the ball in the ruck whilst off their feet. The ball is fired across the pitch by some better passing by the York Backs. Steele (who seems to be everywhere today) runs the ball up to 10m from the Huddersfield try-line before the defence tackle him, but Connor is there in support to get it over the line (0-17); no conversion. Half time.

Second Half

York kick-off, and follow up well. Huddersfield fielding 14 players now. Fraser trying a little run from the Huddersfield 22m line, but is tackled. York win the ball back though and pass it through the Backs across the pitch. The York Forwards chase the play and set-up a maul 10m from the Huddersfield try-line, which they drive over, Connor claiming the points (0-22); no conversion.

Huddersfield restart. York collect it and set-up a maul at their 10m line. Will S comes out of the maul and runs the ball through another few metres before he’s tackled. Huddersfield get the ball, but York win it back quickly, and ship it across field and deeper into Huddersfield territory. York awarded a scrum 5m from the Huddersfield try-line. It’s that man Steele again who comes off the back of the scrum and scores (0-27); Will K converts (0-29).

Huddersfield restart, and the ball rolls into touch about 20m into York territory. York get the line-out but lose it. Huddersfield set-up a maul, but the York Pack hold them up. Scrum to York about 20m into their half, which they win, and move the ball across pitch. Frustratingly the ball is knocked-on at the York 10m line though. Huddersfield win their scrum, and York challenge for it. Will K manages to rip the ball from the tackle. Fraser has a run 15m back up to half-way, but is well tackled by someone a third of his height. York get a scrum around half-way from a Huddersfield knock-on, but it’s Huddersfield who win the ball back and make a break up to the York 22m line. Will K makes a great try-saving tap-tackle to stop the score though. Fraser carries the ball back 15m towards half-way, and York pass the ball around better now. It comes to Andre around the York 10m line, and he makes a terrific run with a series of hand-offs against determined defenders to score in a great solo effort (0-34); Connor converts (0-36).

Huddersfield restart, and the ball is collected by Steele. Good rucking by Huddersfield though, who are still working hard. Scrum to Huddersfield 20m into York territory. The York Pack drive them off and kick the ball across pitch. Huddersfield collect the ball and push play back to the York 22m line. Huddersfield get a scrum at the York 22m line, and it’s wheeled. Penalty to Huddersfield, which is defended well, but York knock-on in the process. Scrum to Huddersfield, which they lose as the York Pack drive them back. Huddersfield knock-on now, and York get the scrum at their 22m line, which they win and pass along the Backs; maddingly another knock-on though (tired legs and minds perhaps). The Huddersfield scrum at the York 22m line is won by them, but Will K is there like a flash when the ball comes out and wraps up the Huddersfield scrum half before he can move the ball away. York get a scrum and finally move it forward, Barney and Toby combining well to nearly break through, but are tackled into touch. The last minute of play has no further scores.

Final Score Huddersfield 0-36 York

Congratulations to both sides for a hard fought, tiring, and good-spirited morning. The hailstones and rain descended just as play finished.