On a day ideal for open, free flowing rugby, York entertained Hullensians, whose current lowly league position, suggested this was a game York should have won. However Hullensians recent form, losing only one game in their last eight and York much changed and playing a number of players out of position, due to unavailability and injury, meant this was never going to be an easy home game. And so it proved.

The visitors had first use of the breeze, however it was the home side who had the early pressure, soon forcing play into the Hullensians 22. This was short lived, as it would be more than 15 minutes before York would again get a foothold in the visitors half. In spite of the pressure exerted on them during this period, in which Hullensians fly half Martinson missed 3 simple kicks at goal and also been handicapped by the yellow carding of Toby Atkin for what appeared to be an innocuous tackle, York’s line remained intact.
It was on 20 minutes and very much against the run of play that York forced play to half way, where a scrummage allowed the York backs to break blind with full back Nicholson feeding wing Goulding, who ran 30 yards unopposed to score wide out, the conversion was missed. 5 nil York.

Hullensians immediately brought play into the York half and after a period of play which went through 9-10 phases, Burrell, Hullesnians influencial lock, fed flanker Dynan, who forced is way over the York line, converted by Martinson. 5 – 7 Hullensians. York having lost Blain replaced by Coe in the front row, made further changes, with Kay been replaced by Thorpe. With Atkin back on the field for York, play was forced back into the visitors half, where Hullensians 8 & captain Conroy was sin binned for collapsing the maul. A further penalty allowed York to bring play to the Hull 5 metre line but in spite of 2 driving mauls the visitor’s line couldn’t be breached. The resulting pressure brought York a scrum. With their pack now scrummaging much better, this should have been a good opportunity to force their first score. Hullensians pack had other ideas and took it against the head, pushing the home side off the ball, clearing their lines. 5 -7 Halftime.

York started the 2nd half on the front foot and quickly took advantage of some very poor Hullensians tackling when Britland broke 40 yards to score wide out conversion missed. 10-7 York.The next 20 minutes would see Hullensians dominant, twice crossing the York “white wash” and each time Martinson missing the conversion. 10 – 17 Hullensians. York where being overrun and the ease at which the visitors maintained possession was worrying, Hullensians second try in this period went through 22 phases, without the home side getting their hands on the ball.

York had to make more changes bringing on winger Simpson, replacing Meredith, who had been on the wing and was now moved into the pack, replacing Thorpe. A “wise old sage” in the stand had made this call 5 minutes earlier, he obviously had the coaches ear!!!.
York managed to force play into the Hull 22, where the visitors were again reduced to 14 men for collapsing the maul. The same period of pressure again saw the visitors infringe and were now reduced to 13 men, York should surely take advantage of the imbalance. Hullensians though had other ideas as they played phase after phase up the field from their 22 to the half way. The crowd were wondering which team had 13 men. York even when they did get the ball, took the option to keep it tight or kick rather than play expansive rugby and stretch their under strength opponents. With Hullensians back to 14 men and soon after 15, York were yet again up against it. Play was brought into the York 22 where centre Harding broke the York defence with ease, Martinson’s conversion leaving York 14 a drift at 10-24.

With the game all but lost, York woke up and quickly brought play into the Hullensians 22, where a brilliant individual effort by fly half Davies, which he quickly converted, brought the scores to 17-24. However it was all too late and in spite of bringing play from the restart back into the visitors half, the whistle went leaving the visitors worthy winners on the day.

York are now equal on points with Middlesbrough in 3rd place, who they play in 3 weeks time, but 4th on points difference. Huge local derby next week, away at Malton, who seem to have hit the skids since confirming their play off place.