Narrow Loss

York 2nds 19 Wath 2nds 15 31/1/15

Wath travelled to York hoping to avenge the home defeat of earlier in the season, when the York backs had excelled. The pitch was level but with puddles from the melting snow and a biting wind blowing the length of the pitch. Wath kicked off with the wind at their backs, after some early exchanges the very rapid York 9 made a break of 60m but was caught by skipper Jim West short of the line and the ball was turned over by Luke Pendlebury, Yorks intent was clearly shown. Wath pack started to impress and after 15 minutes from a lineout 20m inside Yorks half a driving maul was started, which for once maintained control and direction with the forwards scoring. Cory Cox converted from out wide. This proved to be a move York found difficult to cope with as another drive soon made 25m before collapsing short of the try line, a mysterious decision of ref to award a scrum to team dragging the maul down. York continued to attack through the backs with their inside centre being particularly effective, however the young back lines defence was good with Danny Lord cutting down anyone who came near him. From a lineout on the York 22 Wath forwards formed a maul and again drove over the line. The control was good and this aspect of the game is developing well with Steve West and Jonty Morrisey talking the pack forward. Cory just missed the conversion. York continued their attacks and just before half time scored a well worked backs try under the post. HT 7 – 12.
York started second half well with wave after wave of attacks held out by stoic defence, including a sensational overhead catch from Jordan Fleming to stop a penalty kick making touch. The referee seemed to penalise the Wath forwards continuously for hands in ruck and Matt Keanan was sin binned for the offence. York eventually broke and scored a try out wide conversion missed. 12 -12.
The game was now closely fought, Ash Rothery came off with cramp, Sam Holt held together with tape replacing him with Danny Lord moving to inside centre. Tony Kenny left the field with a back strain having dominated his opposing prop. With 5 minutes left Wath finally were awarded a penalty in front of posts for handling in ruck, Cory converted it. From the kick off York turned over the ball then knocked on Wath were then penalised for holding on during advantage and the home team quickly tapped and went over for winning try, gutting! There was time for kick off and after a few phases York looked like they were about to steal the bonus point when they made a break but Jacob Mangham on his come back from serious hand injury tackled the winger who was then hit by Steve West at startling pace and the ball went dead. The winger was still being dug out of the turf as the teams shook hands. Losing bonus point.
The teams performance week on week is improving. The defence was exceptional and the forwards dominant. The Wath support ‘almost’ thought they had got value for their £3 entrance fee!!!!!!
Difficult to choose a MoM from a team effort, but Danny Lords tackling just edged it for him.
Team: Luke Pendlebury, Jacob Mangham, Jordan Fleming, Danny Lord, Ash Rothery, Sam Holt, Corey Cox, Jim West, Tony Kenny, James Dobson, Steve West, Jonty Morrisey, Matt Keanan, Matt Driver, Joey Minshull, Sean Hopper, Alex Dunne, Archie Adams

Written by Bob West