Solid defense and penetrating breaks see York progress!

Cup competitions always bring an air of excitement and today is no exception. Pitch congestion at Clifton Park has brought this game to a local ground. The pitch is in ideal condition after so much rain and with the sun breaking through and only the slightest of breezes: eager anticipation descends. The only downside of the morning is the lack of bacon butties and hot tea. Hopefully the fervor on the pitch will provide an adequate substitute as York starts the competition with a high kick. Sheffield makes a clean catch, run the ball but is held. York rucks well but knock on, as hands become too eager to secure the ball. Sheffield wins their scrum and puts up a kick to chase but York collects and kick into touch. York manages to disrupt the Sheffield line but knock on in the process. Sheffield start a flowing attack from within their own half but the ball goes loose from a poor pass. York gathers the ball but is eventually forced into touch as they counter attack. York now start to show their first spell of pressure by winning the ball from Sheffield's lineout but they accidentally run into one of their own players as they try to run the ball. Sheffield is penalised for breaking too early from the scrum after York had taken the ball against the head. The ball was kicked to touch and York had a lineout on Sheffield's 22-meter line. York misses a long throw and Sheffield are quicker to take the ball and they run out of defense. York stop the attack, get their hands on the ball but are then penalised for not releasing. The ball is kicked to touch and Sheffield opts for a four-man lineout just inside the York half. York is awarded a penalty and makes a good touch kick, taking play to the Sheffield 22-meter line. York wins the line and set up an attacking back movement only to be held on the far side of the field. York drives forward in the ruck and as the ball emerges, Tom L picks up, goes blind and races some 20 meters for an opening try in the corner. (5-0). This opening try certainly eased tension amongst the parents if not the players. The Sheffield restart almost became a cameo copy of one of Chris C's now reputable runs. He caught the ball, ran wide of the oncoming Sheffield forwards and sprinted along the touchline. Just as a try looked on, he was forced into touch being able to offload to his support players. York wins the Sheffield line and a forward drive takes them over the try line but the ball is adjudged to be held up. York is penalised at the scrum and Sheffield clears the ball to touch. Sheffield run the ball after winning their own lineout but as York disrupt the attack, Sheffield retain possession and make a break from within their own half with a good, direct run straight down the centre of the field. A try looks certain as Sheffield have a good 10 meters clear but York give chase and haul down the attacker just short of their own try line. Sheffield is penalised for not releasing the ball. York finds touch and then win the lineout to set up an attack from within their own half. A chip ahead, however, goes straight to a Sheffield defender who immediately counter attacks. Sheffield exerts a period of pressure as they get play to within 5 meters of York's line. All too often errors cause the Sheffield attacks to break down. Likewise York errors allow Sheffield too much possession and inhibit them from getting away from their own 22. It is from a York scrum just outside their own 22 that Tom L picks up and makes a good 40 meter run down the blind side before being held. Good support play by James F sees him collect the offload as Sheffield defense is too stretched to stop him continuing the break to score halfway out. An Excellent break, well supported and well finished against the then run of play. Ollie L added the conversion points. (12-0). York ran the ball from Sheffield's restart but were forced into touch. At that the half time whistle went.
HALF TIME : YORK 12 SHEFFIELD 0.

Sheffield restarts with a long kick which York kick back up field. York's chasers are offside and Sheffield takes a scrum back where the kick was taken from. Sheffield wins the scrum and run the ball but York defends well. York is penalised for feeding their own scrum and again for not receding a full 10 meters as Sheffield take a quick penalty. York's defense holds out well as they get a clearance kick to almost halfway. York set up a driving maul and momentum is halted they recycle and drive again taking play up to Sheffield's 22. York is penalised and Sheffield finds touch back on halfway. Following a long kick into Sheffield's half, Sheffield are caught is possession and York drive forward. Sheffield some how gets the ball but their clearance falls straight to York hands but it is a knock on as a counter attacking opportunity slips away. From a Sheffield scrum on halfway they attack way and York cover just manages to foil a break wide out. Sheffield rallies at this stage as York wins a scrum but is then pinned back by Sheffield as York fumble the ball. Sheffield win their scrum and continue to press as York are penalised some 20 meters out and in front of their own posts. Having failed in their attempts to run the ball at York, Sheffield opts to kick the penalty (a credit to York defensive work) and put 3 points on the board. (12-3). That was the last Sheffield was to see of the York half of the field. From the restart York catch Sheffield in possession and drive them back into their own 22. Only a knock on halts York momentum. York now has Sheffield well and truly pinned on their own line. Winning lineout and scrum together with forceful driving they cross Sheffield try line three times only to have the ball held up. Not content to retain field position, York was determined to score. As York won a scrum 5 meters out they drove for the line yet again but this time the ball was laid back to Callum S who gave the referee a clear view of his firm touchdown. Ollie L added the conversion. (19-3). With only seconds remaining on the clock Sheffield are quick to restart. York is slow to secure a bouncing ball as Sheffield takes possession. As York stop their attempted come back they are penalised. Sheffield runs the ball but is forced into touch for what is the final play of the game.
FULL TIME : YORK 19 SHEFFIELD 3.

It was a credit to both teams in their play which was hard but wholly in the spirit of the game whereby aggression never spilled over. On their part Sheffield never gave up, had a fair share of possession but could not penetrate a solid York defence. It was the York pack who maintained the edge in an error strewn game. Although they forfeited much possession in loose play it was their overall ability in set pieces together with their drives and breaks that brought the points to ensure victory. For their part the backs provided a solid defense. A good result in which all players had contributed.

Try Scorers:

Tom L
James F
Callum S

Conversions:

Oliver L (2)