Brave York put on good show
In front of a small crowd and in fine weather, York were unfortunate to lose 18-27 at home to a competitive Newcastle side. It was an evenly balanced match and defeat came following an impressive display of attacking rugby from the visitors.
York went into the match in good form, their confidence high with five wins in their past seven matches. They made their intentions for victory clear early on, with Liam Cunnah, the York fly half, converting a penalty in the tenth minute. They held sway over the game, maintaining domination in possession; however, York failed to break down the resiliant and well-organised Newcastle defence and were duly punished when Newcastle scored a fine breakaway try.
A penalty, converted by Cunnah, briefly brought York within six points of Newcastle. However, matters soon got worse when the Newcastle winger impressively broke through two tackles before setting up his team-mate to score under the posts.
York battled on and, demonstrating the strength of their side, continued to sustain possession. Missed tackles soon began to prove costly, however, and overshadowed York’s strengths. Newcastle’s incisive and sharp attack caused big problems for the home defence and, after half an hour, Newcastle were awarded a penalty try, which was consequently converted, widening the gap between the teams to 6-19.
Just before half time however, York’s fortunes changed, with the forwards and backs working together well, to good effect. A strong drive eventually led to star player Liam Cunnah scoring in the corner.
The home team went into half time 11-19 behind, a score line which did not, perhaps, reflect the balance of the match. Early in the second half, Cunnah, the scorer of all of York’s points, charged down a clearance and ran the length of the Newcastle half to score a superb individual effort.
With the match finely balanced, York mounted the pressure on the Newcastle defence. Much of the second half was spent with Newcastle pinned in their own half but, despite their efforts, York could not convert possession and territorial advantage into points and, with eight minutes remaining, Newcastle scored the decisive try. Trailing by six points, York desperately went in search of the required converted try, though a penalty for Newcastle in the dying moments sealed victory.
York can take many positives from the fixture. James Solomon, the York University Rugby Club Press and Publicity representative, pointed out, “We’re playing probably the best and most free flowing rugby we’ve played for years. Barry Pierce, the coach, is making a big difference. Everyone is playing great rugby at the moment and training phenomenally hard so it looks good for the future”. The team is enjoying an influx of enthusiastic and talented freshers and has high hopes for the future.
York remain third in the BUSA Northern Conference 2B league. They face the Sunderland first XV next week, in a chance to regain their winning streak and mount a promotion bid.
BUSA Northern Conference Men’s 2B
Current Standings:
| pld | pts | |
| 1. Northumbria 2nds | 4 | 12 |
| 2. Newcastle 2nds | 3 | 12 |
| 3. York St John 1sts | 4 | 6 |
| 4. York 1sts | 4 | 3 |
| 5. Sunderland 1sts | 4 | 3 |
| 6. Teeside 1sts | 3 | -3 |
Past Results:
York 13-24 St John 1sts
Northumbria 2nds 45-0 York
York 43-7 Teeside 1sts
