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Photos: Tom Wooldridge
It was a frustrating day for York’s rugby 2nds as old problems ruled once again, allowing a result which didn’t reflect the true ability of the team.
The 2nds entered this BUCS Northern B clash on the back of two heavy defeats by Durham and Newcastle 2nds respectively. It was the first home game of the season and there was renewed optimism around the squad that the worst was behind them.
However, the late arrival of the referee and near postponement of the game seemed to knock the focus of the team. The game started brightly with both teams stringing together a few phases but neither making a decisive break through the opposition defence. With the wind behind them York made a few forays into the Newcastle 22 aided by the boot of Ed Harris but ultimately came away with no points.
With the game in the balance old problems reared their ugly head to haunt York. Basic errors and poor defence began to creep into the game and Newcastle scored two first half tries, exposing overlaps and sloppy defence. The ineptness of Newcastle’s kicker allowed York to stay in touch with two Harris penalties to make the score 10-6 at half time.
York felt lucky to still be in touch but it was the first game this year in which it was still very winnable at the break. The second half produced a catalogue of errors and missed tackles that allowed Newcastle to build a score-line that flattered them. The referee’s interpretations of the laws were at times questionable but it hindered both sides and York couldn’t leave their failings at the referee’s door.
York couldn’t keep the ball for long enough periods to truly test the Newcastle defence and even though there were individual breaks and bullocking runs the support was lacking and chances were lost. The set piece was also hit and miss and the forwards couldn’t provide enough clean ball for the backs to use.
The second half also saw the sin-binning of centre Alex Summers for cynical play but he was quickly followed to the bin by a Newcastle player for repeat infringements. In this period York lifted their game but it has been a feature of the season that York play well for periods but fail to produce any points. The last twenty minutes was the most disappointing, as with the whole team out on its feet and heads dropping Newcastle managed to cross the whitewash for several sloppy tries.
With Newcastle in the ascendancy and with the wind behind them they could keep York pinned in their own half and the back three trio of Sam Durno, Matt Darroch and James Ramm were frequently tested with high balls and long raking kicks. The final whistle came with York bitterly disappointed leaving the field.
The team was led by hooker Rob Golding and No 8. Thom Arnott received man of the match.