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Photos: Emilien Tortel
York 1sts dominated Leeds 2nds 41-10 in adverse conditions yesterday in their first game for nine weeks to further cement their place at the top of the table, going eight points clear of second-placed Liverpool 1sts.
The first half took place in a snowstorm, with the home team playing into the blizzard. Despite this, York stamped their authority on the game early, dominating at the scrum and putting Leeds straight onto the back foot. Good pressure and composure on the Leeds try line resulted in flanker Tim Ross going over for York’s first try of the match. The missed conversion left the score at 5-0.
Leeds remained behind the pace being set by the Black and Gold, and were unable to maintain possession or build any momentum. York kept testing and breaking the Leeds defence, resulting in a second try through scrum half Will Ward. Will Peters made the conversion, putting York 12-0 up after 15 minutes.
Leeds buried their heads further in the sand, and two minutes later winger Will Sharpe burst down the left side to score York’s third try of the half, increasing the lead to 17-0. Leeds appeared to wake up and responded with a good period of possession, resulting in a try for their full back. The conversion reduced the home sides lead to 10 points. A Leeds penalty on the stroke of half time left the score at 17-10.
The second half started in more horizontal snow, and the poor conditions under foot meant both sides struggled to get any real momentum going. York remained very much in control throughout the second half, continuously camped inside the Leeds half, but multiple handling errors gave Leeds penalties and an opportunity to clear their lines and relieve the pressure.
A penalty kick into the corner gave York a good attacking platform, which they used to great effect. Great work by the forwards in a driving maul sent captain Sam Lord over, putting them 22-10 ahead. Five minutes later they did the same again, the try coming this time from Tristan Burd. Peters made the conversion, giving York a 29-10 lead with 15 minutes left to play.
Will Sharpe finished an impressive run from outside of the 22, beating four defenders to touch down in the corner for his second of the match. Then, with less than a minute on the clock, the forwards powered over again off the back of a lineout, Harry Pampiglione scoring York’s seventh try. Peters again converted, finishing the game 41-10.
Captain Sam Lord praised his team, stating that the pace in which they started the match was fantastic; especially considering it was their first game in nine weeks. “The pace and offloading in the first half really showed our attacking ability, and the second half was all about wearing them down.” He described conditions underfoot as ridiculous. “It is great to be back though, especially with a win.”
York XV: Kirkley, Draycott, Burd, Pampiglione, Lord (C), Gaskell, Ross, Nangle, Ward, Peters, Sharp, Watson, Skivington-Jones, Osborne, Durno