Yarnbury V York YC

York vs Yarnbury match report 7th January 2018
After almost a month’s layoff due to Xmas and weather the quarter final match vs Yarnbury finally happened on a sunny morning at Yarnbury’s home ground.
Yarnbury suggested a full size pitch for the match which York gladly accepted. Toby B as captain, decided to play with elements in York’s favour and Yarnbury then kicked off. What followed was the team try of the season. A combination of swift winning and recycling at the breakdown, quick hands, incisive running and 5/6 phases of error free rugby, taking the play towards Yarnbury’s line before a final deft pass from Freddie I put Toby B into the gap to cross and score. York’s handling and success at the scrummage as well as the press defence resulting in turnovers, kept the score line ticking over via a combination of individual and team scores. York rotated its front row and second row against the largest and most accomplished packs they have played against this season. York’s defence as ever was the bedrock of the ultimate result. To round off the first half, Freddie I created a fantastic try chipping the rush defence and Jake H running onto the bouncing ball.
The second half was impressive for different reasons. Yarnbury finally found their rugby feet and increasingly combined, keeping the ball ‘upfront’ via driving mauls and effective rucking. Apart from a superb break out of defence try by Jake, the story was of a committed, focussed defensive York display. For all of Yarnbury’s possession they managed just one score, a testament to York’s intensity that blunted Yanrbury’s much improved second half performance. York managed to give all the squad invaluable game time with everyone contributing to a sterling performance.
To deliver the performance they did following a month’s lay off was outstanding. Of note was Elias who only got off a plane from Australia 24 hours before!
There are always things to work on and invariably as we come up against better opposition the ruck area still needs more coaching – lower, driving body positions to secure quick ball. Reducing the ‘penalty’ count – too many tackles whilst not malicious, were too high, and our off side line /defence was a ½ yard in front a little too often. Having said this, the pack in set plays, irrespective of combination, performed superbly well, achieving 2 against the head and on most occasions matching or driving Yarnburys big pack back.