Below par York succumb to more robust West Park

The opening encounter typified the pattern of play that would persist throughout the game. A grubber kick-off by West Park was neatly trapped by York before being taken in hand to set up a forward drive. West Park held the drive and York moved the ball out wide to mount an opening attack. Without any depth to the line the ball moves across field without any breach of the vantage line as York is held. York is awarded a scrum, which they win and a kick is put over West Park backs for York wide players to chase. With both time and space West Park collect the kick and counter attack deep into York territory. West Park are adjudged off-side as their chasing winger was in front of the kicker as he channeled a long, penetrating kick that had caught York out of position. York clear their 22 with a penalty kick to touch on halfway. West Park wins possession from the York line but York forwards is through quickly and fly kick ahead but West Park finds touch with a defensive kick. Again West Park win ball from the York lineout and put in a long kick for their backs to chase. York is slow to clear and concede a scrum to West Park. The kicking game adopted by West Park is finding weaknesses in the York defense as they continue to exploit this route. Another kick and chase by West Park sees the ball roll across York's line but York manages to be first to the touch down. York takes a quick, short drop out and collects the ball but with the York attacker isolated. West Park easily holds as the move, intended to catch West Park out but finding most York players unprepared. York support does eventually arrive and York do sustain a good forward drive to halfway. As the ball comes back it is moved wide in an attacking move but possession is lost in the tackle. West Park counter attack with yet another raking kick which York, defensively scrabble into touch. York are well and truly being kept pinned back in their own half. Too much bias on the West Park throw-in sees York opt for a scrum. West Park disrupts the scrum and somehow gets their hands on the ball and set up a drive. York suppresses the drive but West Park lay the ball back. West Park spins the ball wide stretching York defense and with the West Park fullback joining the attack they find an overlap to score in at the corner. The conversion from out near the touchline was missed. (0-5). Although a little over halfway through the first half the remainder of the half was a virtual cameo performance. York was kept pinned in their own half by West Park's kicking tactics. Counter attacking by York lacked penetration and their ability to deal with long kicks left them exposed. Winning their own scrums gave York some respite, as did their strength in inhibiting attempted drives by West Park. For their part west park edged lineout play and were quicker to get hands on any loose ball. Whilst West Park had held territorial advantage and had been more dominant and creative in attack, York turned round at half time having conceded the single try and had all to play for.
HALF TIME : YORK 0 WEST PARK LEEDS 5.

York started the second-half showing signs of a positive response. West Park catches the kickoff but York holds their drive and is awarded a scrum. York wins the ball and as York fly half steps inside his opposite man, a break looks on. Support is slow but York retains possession and switch play. West Park defends well and the attack is halted without York having gained any territory however is one of York's better periods of retained possession and creative play. York win a scrum and move the ball wide as West Park defend well with the ball going into touch. West Park wins the lineout and resume their kicking strategy to pin York back in their half again as they had done in the first half. West Park are awarded a penalty some 15m from the York line. West Park takes a quick tap and York is unable to halt a strong driving run which sees West Park cross York line. Not the easiest of conversions was missed. (0-10). York were not deterred at conceding a second try and restarted buoyed by their more positive start to the second half. The restart takes play up to just short of West Park line and is the closest York has been during the entire game. An opportunity arises as the ball goes loose on the ground. As so often, however, it is West Park hands that are quicker to secure it as they clear their line and take play back to halfway. West Park is awarded a penalty; they tap and run before putting in a deep, chasing kick. Three York players attempt to collect the rolling ball but each fumble the ball backward towards their own line. A West Park player eventually secures the ball for the easiest of tries and effectively secures the game. From just left of the posts the conversion is made. (0-17). York brings on their substitutes and makes positional changes for the restart: a move aimed more at full squad participation and experience rather than an attempting to turn round the deficit. It is hard for these players to adjust, as West Park is now buoyant and playing with confidence. York adapt well but is unable to stem the now ebbing tide as West Park run in two further tries, both scored in the corner, by playing expansive rugby. This final episode of play gave West Park a highly generous winning margin and one greater than the balance of play warranted.
FULL TIME : YORK 0 WEST PARK LEEDS 27.

Credit to both teams in playing out a Cup match in such good spirit. West Park was a worthy winner on the day. They asked questions of York and York could not answer. Solid Forward play, which had been the foundation of York's success so far this season, failed them. Tactically West Park, who took revenge for their early season humiliation, outplayed York. Much is left for York to reflect upon before they can return to winning ways.