York looked to push on with their season and build on last week’s win over North Ribblesdale as they visited Old Brodleians. Even with two changes from the selected team; Rich Roberts and new recruit Curtis Fletcher unavailable due to illness and injury respectively, the York squad were quietly confident. On a pitch that can be affected by the elements, the weather and conditions were perfect for playing rugby.

Playing down the slope in the first half, York kicked off and chased well only to be penalised for an infringement at the ruck area. The first five minutes saw the game being played between York’s 10m line and Old Brods 22. Kicks from both sides being relatively ineffectual and the only real highlight was some good tackling and carrying by the York back row. Old Brods started to get a slight upper hand as the game settled and the strength of their forward runners interplaying with their 10 and 12 was beginning to dominate. The first Old Brods attack into the York 22 stretched play from one touch to the other as York’s defence worked hard to keep them out. Ultimately a miss-pass into touch was the deciding factor. A second attack was not as easily cleared by York and on 15 minutes more strong running by the Old Brods 10 and 8 allowed the impressive 12 to set up 3 phases of play in the York 22 that resulted in the first try wide on the right. Unconverted, Old Bords led 5 – 0.

Five minutes later another Old Brods attack led to a York line-out, where York failed to win their own ball and confusion in defence allowed Old Brods to score under the sticks, the score stretching out to 12 – 0. The increasing score line did seem to motivate the York team and some better running by the forwards gave them some field position. A clever kick by Britland pushed the ball deep into the Old Brods half and a solid chase gave rise to a penalty as the Old Brods defender held on to the ball. The resulting York Line-out was this time won and a driving maul resulted in a try for Darren Rutherford, proving that given clean line out position, the York pack were able to set up a solid driving maul. The conversion missed by Dawes, the score read; Old Brods 12 – York 5.

As the first half drew to a close, more line out ball by York was squandered but their scrum became more dominant and put pressure on Old Brods. Handling mistakes and poor ball retention by both sides meant that scrums were becoming an ever increasing occurrence and allowed York some clean possession. On 35 minutes, Old Brods launched another attack in the York half and after 5 solid phases their outside centre cut back inside on a good line and crossed the white wash for their third try. Converted, the score now 19 – 5.

In what was the last significant play of the first half, Rawlings collected the re-start well and drove up field, some neat recycling by York saw Old Brods creep offside and the resulting penalty allowed Dawes to hit his first kick and close the score to 19 – 8.

As the second half kicked off, York now playing up hill, the travelling supporters were looking for York to tighten up their control, improve their decision making around 9, 10 and 12 and win some clean line out ball. Unfortunately this did not happen. The second half was a relatively lack-lustre affair, with both sides failing to play any decent rugby. Old Brods, whilst having the slope of their side, didn’t add anything other than a penalty to the score line. York also failed to make any meaningful threat to the try line.
Although York dominated territory, with large spells of the second half being played between the halfway line and Old Brods 22, knock-ons, turn overs and miss-judgements ensured that York did not close the gap. Similarly, silly penalties by Old Brods kept them from pulling away.

The game will give both sides things to work on in mid-week training. Old Brods will need to sure up their scrum if they are to compete with some of the bigger packs in the league but they can be pleased with the strong running of their second rows and number 8 linking well with their fly half and centres, particularly their impressive inside centre. York on the other hand should be pleased with the forwards at scrum time and in some of the close engages (Meredith again carrying and tackling well) but the lineout needs work. The lack of decision making in midfield will hopefully come with time as this relatively new line-up gels.