York v Harrogate, 3rd Round of the Yorkshire Cup, 9th December 2012

Playing Squad
Starters: Angus Wilson, Henry Barker, Harrison Savage, Isaac Wilson, Alfie Douglas, Isaac, Bosy, Adam Brown, Jack Williams, Max Courtis, James Mahon, Dan Watson, James Black, Max Foxcroft, Charlie Hudson
Subs: Herbie Milton, Patrick James, Harry Suter, Chris Nelson, Harry Taylor, Oscar Hales

York’s fifteenth game of the season was without a doubt their most competitive, topping even their encounter with Sandal in the previous round of the Yorkshire Cup. And without many a Tuesday and Saturday graft on the training pitch it is unlikely they would have enjoyed the same good fortune and tasted victory.

The game was played like a final on the first XV pitch with Harrogate arriving in their best attire with club ties and shirts for the occasion. Both sidelines were full with parents and supporters of both teams. With blue skies, sunshine and the temperature a few degrees above zero, the weather was perfect for a free-flowing contest – perhaps too perfect and a little too open for Harrogate.

Max Courtis kicked off play with a well lofted kick into the sun on the left side against a light chill breeze. And for a five minute period play was pinned between the Harrogate ten metre line and halfway as both teams strived for the advantage. The pattern was set for the rest of the half as dominance by a well-drilled Harrogate pack in the set pieces was balanced by York cunning and guile in the back line and around the breakdown. The energy level was such that both sides made easy work of the full-size pitch as the half progressed and the play opened up. The referee allowed play to flow and both sides took advantage as the game developed into a highly entertaining spectacle. Harrogate’s forwards pressed hard throughout the half and made it difficult for York to establish a reliable supply to their back line. In the face of well-organized defences on both sides, any real penetration was limited to jinking individual forays by the back lines and well placed kicks to space. York’s frustration was clear as Harrogate moved comfortably ahead on the penalty count, although the discipline since their previous outing against West Park Leeds was much improved.

The breakthrough came in the twenty-fifth and final minute of the first half after a period of sustained pressure by Harrogate on York’s right. York broke out and Charlie took the pass for a trademark gallop down the touchline for the first score in the right corner. The kick from his right boot on the touchline and against the wind was only just short and left – a fine effort, just not fine enough. York huddled down 5-0 ahead for their halftime team talk.

The second half dawned a little brighter for York as they were able to build a slightly higher tempo and level of desire. And on reflection, the early stages of the second half certainly brought the greater number of standout moments for the local support. York’s forwards regained some degree of control after their difficult first half and in the opening stages there were some fine play around the breakdown by York’s back row and backs. Quicker movement of ball down the line allowed greater penetration up both wings and it was one such movement just 2 minutes into the half that released Max Foxcroft for a seemingly certain score up the left side after excellent interplay between Max and Charlie moving into the line from full back. Having crossed the try line however, the chance was squandered by an overly-confident run to the centre where well-executed defensive tackles from two members of Harrogate’s back line resulted in the ball held up and a scrum five. Harrogate’s relief was short lived however as York maintained the initiative. In the play that followed, wave after wave of pressure along the line eventually paid dividends in an Adam Brown twisting touch down at full stretch below the posts. A simple conversion took the score to 12-0 in York’s favour.

Barely 3 minutes later Harrogate responded. After a short period of loose play around halfway, a determined Harrogate back line fed a grubber kick through the breach on York’s left side and pull the score back to 12-5 with the touch down. There then followed a ten minute period of play where first Harrogate’s and then York’s forward line faded as the stamina of both groups was tested to the limit. Harry Suter and Oscar Hales were both introduced in this period to sustain energy levels, but it was Harrogate who, on 17 minutes, took the next try. Fast movement by Harrogate from a breakdown in the centre on York’s ten metre line found a number of players out of position and gaps on York’s right flank. Weak tackling on this occasion allowed the scorer to take full advantage and eventually touch down between the posts for a straightforward conversion. 12-12, game back on.

The remainder of the half was wide open and in truth either side might have won given the exhausting nature of the encounter. Forwards on both sides had given their all and it rested with the backs on both sides to make the play in the final period. There were moments when York were under heavy pressure, again on their right side, but ultimately it was (once more) an attractive interchange of passing and support by Charlie Hudson and Max Foxcroft on the left side that gifted York a try scoring opportunity. And it was, not for the first time this season, Daniel Watson who seized that final winning try for York. Charlie Hudson’s first class conversion from close to the left touch line was the final kick of the match. Victory was York’s 19-12.

A good game from two very promising sets of young players.