Congratulations to Will Scholey on his 100th appearance for the Club, he is the corner stone of our powerful and consistent scrum. Today the weather is mild and the surface soft and ideal for running Rugby, both teams needing to put a performance together, York trying to chase Scunthorpe down in the race to be table toppers and Blaydon needing points to climb out of the relegation zone, we are expecting a close contest.

The game starts with York immediately challenging at the kick off creating pressure and a scrum on the visitors try line near the posts, after three resets York attempting a push over try, Shane Goulding controlling the ball from no8 as the scrum crosses the line he scores the try, converted by Harry Shackleton, after just three minutes.

From the restart York are again in Blaydon’s red zone forcing them into coffin corner, yet another scrum and the pack is going forward again but this time the ball is not controlled at the base, so an opportunity is lost. Blaydon are on the attack and a high tackle in front of York’s posts on the 22m gives a simple penalty for Blaydon to get on the score sheet. There follows a period of pressure from the visitors who are able to retain possession, aided by a steady stream of ball from good line out work. Their scrum half is a constant threat he attacks the blind side and he goes over in the corner for an unconverted try.

There then follows a period of mistakes from both sides, unforced handling errors missed tackles, kicks from outside the 22m direct into touch, and a mounting penalty count. York are awarded a penalty right in front of the Blaydon posts, which is greatly accepted by the reliable boot of Harry Shackleton. We are seeing a variety of kicks, long raking punts from the sweet left boot of our no10 giving field position, grubber kicks turning the opposition, one such dash and a chip kick and Harry Shackleton recovers the ball to score in the right corner, he then converts his own try with a spectacular conversion.

York are beginning to dominate and carry the ball forward by the centurion Will Scholey and his front row partner Ben Mills, this leads to another penalty awarded on the Blaydon 22, in front of the posts, York seem to be pulling away as half time beckons.A counter attack created by York is butchered, as a 2v1 looks like a certain try, the final pass being intercepted. Half time score. York 20 - Blaydon 8

The second half sees Lewi Jackson enter into the arena, the scrum continues to dominate for York, there then follows a series of penalties, as the Blaydon scrum disintegrates, York opting for even more scrums, therefore more penalties which leads to yellow cards, as prior warnings from the referee are not observed, York are now occupying the opponents 22, which leads to further unforced errors, the game is becoming very scrappy as both teams are falling off tackles, as the light begins to fade. Then suddenly the Blaydon replacement wing appears on the opposite wing to touch down in the corner, the conversion is missed, the score line does not reflect the play it is now 20-13, a final rally from York as Charlie Rae comes on making a telling run to find Toby Atkin on his shoulder to go under the posts this is converted by Harry Shackleton.

York fans are on tenterhooks again as the elusive 4th try bonus point is needed to keep the pressure on Scunthorpe. We reset and the gaps begin to open up giving Shane Goulding and AJ Peplinski the chances to make line breaks without support, chances missed. Nerves stretching.

Are we in for a fairy tale ending as Will Scholey drives for the line, only to be held up, leaving Sam Croft following up and cleaning up to dot the ball over the line and the bonus point is secured right at the end. Final Score. York 32 - Blaydon13

Blaydon discipline has cost them this game as they picked up yet another yellow card for repeated infringements, a finale for York to savour. Results going our way as Scunthorpe slip up again. Man of the Match in my opinion was the unsung hero at the back he fielded everything, counter attacked, a tidy performance and very reliable - George Davies.

Scorers,
Tries; Shane Goulding, Harry Shackleton, Toby Atkin, Sam Croft.
Conversions; Shackleton 3
Penalties; Shackleton 2