Following last season’s bitter defeat in the final of the North Yorkshire cup at the hands of Middlesbrough, the mighty 3’s looked to right some wrongs and secure the cup. With big Al’s magic coin securing the Clifton Park as the venue for the ‘Mighty and Righteous 3rd XV Juggernaut of Truth and Justice’ to exact their plunder, the stage was set.

Playing downhill in the first half, York applied early pressure and with a high-tempo game. Defying the advanced years of many of the York players, the pace of the home team paid dividends with early tries to James Arkle, Ben Burns and Dan Russell. Captain Russell added all three conversions (a feat unparalleled in all 172 of his previous games for York).

In the second half North Ribblesdale sought to make more of a match of it and used the slope to their advantage. An untimely ‘ten minutes rest’ by Grant ‘Grunter’ Williams for a professional foul allowed North Rib to cross for the first or their two tries. Fortunately for York the North Rib kicker did not have the same steel-eyed-accuracy as Russell and their tries went unconverted. York managed to add to the score’s as Russell made it four kicks from four (???!!!!) with a penalty.

The final 20 minutes of the match saw North Rib throw everything they could at the York defence with their hooker, fly-half and outside centre being particularly effective. But it was no match for the stout resilience and sure-footed composure of the home team. As the final whistle blew, the camaraderie and commitment shown by everyone who has turned out for the 3’s this season was evident. As the outgoing captain Russell later eulogised (slurred) you don’t captain the mighty 3’s; you unleash them!