U13 York vs Sandal (Home)

The Easter holidays had wreaked havoc with both sides not being able to field a full team. It was agreed to play everyone, so that was 13 players for York and 12 players for Sandal (very sporting of the visitors).

A number of the team management were away, and as Mr Smart was larging it up in Manchester it fell to Mr Harrison to take on a multitude of team support tasks; yes, we were scraping the bottom of that barrel. Sadly Mr Robson had reverted back to his Refuse Management Engineer attire again this morning; “English Mustard” is the colour of his trousers he tells us; “French Vomit” would be closer.

On with the Game.

First Half

York kick-off and chase. Some nice rucking by Sandal wins them the ball, but York regain it and pass across the pitch to set-up the first attack, but unfortunately its knocked-on. First scrum to Sandal at their 10m line, which they win, and break through the York defence all the way to the York 22m line; Tom stops the first ball carrier, and Andre tackles the next. Good rucking by York wins them the ball and its passed out, but frustratingly knocked-on again at the York 22m line. Sandal again win their scrum (big pack this) and are pressing hard for an opening in the York defence. York regain the ball and Andre clears with a kick to half-way line. York settling a bit better now, and play is around the Sandal 10m line. Andre runs it from there all the way into the corner to open the scoring (5-0); no conversion.

Sandal restart. Ben kicks it very nicely back up to the 10m line, with good follow-up by his team mates. Andre makes a great tackle around the half-way line, with good support by York to ruck the ball back off an isolated Sandal player. The Sandal support comes in though and they win it back and take play up to the York 10m line. Sandal testing the York defence hard, and a very determined solo attack pays off to burst through and level the scores (5-5); converted (5-7).

York restart, and chase. Good rucking by York at the Sandal 10m line, then the ball is taken on by Tom another 10m. Knock-on by Sandal and a scrum to York which they win. Then a knock-on by York at the Sandal 22m line; Sandal win their scrum and take play back up to the half-way line. Sandal not rolling away in the ruck and a scrum awarded to York, which they win and the ball is kicked up field towards the touch-line, where it’s unfortunately knocked into touch by the Sandal defender. First line-out to York is won by them. Tom runs the ball through the defence and gets as far as 5m from the try-line; as he is tackled he superbly off-loads to Connor who is in close support and nips through to score (10-7); no conversion.

Sandal restart and chase, with determined rucking taking the ball back from the York defence. York recover it though, and champagne rugby from Leo, passing on the run to Tom, and then on to Andre looks to be rewarded with a deserved try, but a forward pass has been adjudged so it’s a scrum to Sandal instead. Sandal take the scrum about 15m into their half, and win it. York awarded a penalty soon after though (hands in the ruck by Sandal), and kick the ball to the Sandal 22m line. The York line-out is won by them (just), Tom once again taking play on through the Sandal defence; he passes through to Leo who steps neatly inside to get past the last defender and run through (15-7); Connor converts (17-7).

Sandal restart with a kick to touch around the York 22m line. The line-out to York is not clean and is knocked-on. Scrum to Sandal, and they are piling the pressure onto the York defence. Penalty to Sandal now as York are penalised for hands in the ruck 5m from their try-line. Sandal set-up a maul and try to get over the line, but somehow York rip the ball and come away with it, running it all the way back to their 10m line. Phew. Penalty to York now as Sandal get their hands in the ruck, which is kicked to the Sandal 10m line. York take their line-out, but lose it and Sandal kick the ball back to the York 10m line. Tom runs it and kicks it back deep into Sandal territory, but is then tackled off the ball. The penalty to York is quickly taken and the ball moved across; no way through though and York infringe so its now a penalty to Sandal at their 10m line. Half time.

Second Half

Sandal kick-off the second half, and the ball it neatly taken by Joe, who despite a struggle ends up being tackled into touch at the York 10m line. The Sandal line-out is won by them and passed along their Backs. Penalty to Sandal (York not releasing the ball after the tackle) at the York 10m line, but the advantage is lost as they knock-on whilst passing it out. Scrum to York near the half-way line, which they win and kick the ball up into the Sandal half. It’s run back by Sandal though to their 10m line. Good rucking by York to regain possession. Leo makes another run and then a lovely pass to Tom who is in close support and scores (22-7); Connor converts (24-7).

Sandal restart and chase; Leo makes a decisive tackle into touch to save a potential break through the York defence. Both sides working hard to get the upper hand. York pressing the Sandal defence, and Sandal defending well at their 22m line. York try a maul, but it’s held-up and Sandal get a scrum which they win. Good struggle between both teams. Andre nearly gets through. Scrum to York at the Sandal 22m line, but they lose it and Sandal come away with the ball. Penalty to Sandal (high tackle) half way up their territory, and they make a nice series of passes to start an attack on York. An attempted interception by York nearly comes off, but unfortunately it’s knocked-on. Scrum to Sandal at half-way, which they win. Then York infringe again and it’s a penalty to Sandal on half-way, which they run to the York 22m line. York off-side 10m from their try-line, and it’s another penalty to Sandal, who get a fair reward for their persistence and effort (24-12); no conversion.

York restart. Scrum to Sandal at their 10m line, which they win. Good rucking by Sandal at the half-way line. Then some good rucking by York to win it back, and Andre kicks it deep and into touch at the Sandal 22m line. Line-out to Sandal is won. Sandal then awarded a couple of scrums (York knock-ons), which they win. A great chase down of the ball by Connor through after the second scrum to regain possession, and passes the ball out to Barney, but the Sandal defence holds out. Another scrum to Sandal about 10m from their try-line is won and the ball is kicked clear to touch around the Sandal 22m line. York lose their line-out, but regain possession after Sandal go into touch. This time it’s a quick line-out by York and Andre runs the ball up through the defence and off-loads a pass to Ben to score (29-12); no conversion. Full time.

Final Score York 29-12 Sandal

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