End of season win brings sweet revenge!

It was all defense during the first quarter as West Park had York pinned down in their own half. A good break by York took them into West Park territory and from there they came more into the game. West Park came close to scoring early in the game when they forced their way over the York line but York managed to hold the ball up and prevented a grounding. As demonstrated for most of the season York pack proved strong and sound in set scrums and at lineouts. With West Park tending to be quicker to any loose ball and effective at ripping the ball away from York, possession tended to be equal. Unfortunately for York they just could not get out of their own half. York did eventually break clear when their fullback joined a flowing backs move, found space on the outside and made ground deep into the West Park half. York was now on the offensive and West Park for once looked vulnerable. As the York pack drove over the West Park line a try looked in the offering but the ball ran loose and a West Park touchdown earned them a 22m dropout. York pressed again with a powerful forward drive and then span the ball wide to Whitmore (playing on the wing) to shrug off a would-be tackle to touch down near the corner. (5-0).
West Park came back strongly from the restart but York, now playing with more resolve, held firm as the half was played out in midfield.
HALF TIME : YORK 5 WEST PARK 0.

York had learnt to counter the tactical kicking employed most effectively in the earlier cup game. Spaces were being closed down and York had the ability to run the ball back at West Park. West Park tried the kicking tactic after collecting a high kickoff by York. On this occasion, with Gao at full back, the ball was collected and with pace he rounded the oncoming West Park backs but was forced into touch just short of the line when a try looked imminent. From that field position York were awarded a scrum from which their No 8 Leonard picked up and dived over. Atkinson added the conversion. (12-0).
York was now in the midst of their strongest period of play. West Park looked unsettled as their restart failed to go the requisite 10m. York won their opted scrum and a strong forward drive took play up to the West Park 22m line. York took a quick tap penalty after West Park had failed to release the ball when tackled. West Park held the initial York surge but as the ball broke loose Cambridge snatched possession and raced in under the posts for neat, controlled, two-handed touch down. Atkinson again added the conversion. (19-0).
York was dominant at this stage and two quick second half tries ought to have been a killer blow to West Park. As it was West Park rallied immediately. Shortly after the restart, West Park ran a penalty and was over the York line but a York player had a hand under the ball to prevent a grounding. West Park continued to press and was awarded a penalty from a scrum 5m from the York line. York was slow to organise its defense. West Park took a quick tap penalty and darted over for try. (19-5).
It had been a wake-up call to York as their restart showed determination to build upon their earlier success. For there part West Park sensed a comeback. Tension mounted as both teams increased their determination. The next score could have come from either side as both teams put in penetrating runs matched only by solid defense work. The next score, did however, come York's way when they took possession of the ball from a West Park lineout on West Park's 22m line. York set up a driving maul and as the maul neared West Park line, Leonard broke clear to touch down. (24-5).
West Park retaliated immediately. This time it was they who drove York back from the restart. York defense became sucked in. West Park spun the ball out wide and made their disciplined back line tell as they scored out wide. (24-10).
West Park continued to press hard during the closing few minutes but York defense held firm.
FULL TIME : YORK 24 WEST PARK 10.

It had been sweet revenge for York against a strong West Park team. Some excellent rugby had been played by both teams each prepared to run with the ball thus calling upon solid defensive play. Kicking tactics so well executed by West Park in their cup win was well and truly countered. There had been little to choose between the teams for most of the game. York had earned the win through their dominant spell at the start of the second half. It was sweet revenge and a fitting game for what had been the final friendly of the season.

SCORERS:

Tries:
Whitmore
Leonard (2)
Cambridge

Conversions:
Atkinson (2)

SEASON'S STATISTICS:

All friendly and cup fixtures:

Played 19, Won 16, Lost 3.
Scored 669 points, conceded 207.

In addition:

Cup winners of the Aylesbury 10's.

Player Development:

4 players represented North Yorkshire in their wins over both South and East Yorkshire.
(West and Central fixtures were ultimately cancelled).

Domestically, player development is paramount within the club with all players in training being given match time. It is a fitting tribute to how players have developed during the season when they have contributed to and participated in some of the best rugby standards in the county. It bodes well for the popularity and future of the club that players are brought through the system.