A game York needed to win in order to maintain their momentum towards the league title. On a wet miserable day Sandal were welcomed to Clifton Park. A playing surface that is normally in perfect condition, thanks to our wonderful ground Staff, During the second half we were treated to arctic conditions, driving icy rain, with spectators fleeing to the upper tiers of the new grandstand to seek shelter.

So it proved in the end, the result went to the team that adapted better to playing in these conditions. Sandal fielded a large pack of forwards, who determined where the game was played. In the second half the territory was occupied by the visitors and scrum half Allen kept the ball in front of his pack, with some quality box kicking with the Thompson brothers carrying the ball close to the breakdown. That statistic was about 80% Sandal and 20% York.

Both teams showed us some quality defence, determined driving mauls but as one would expect there were many unforced errors, resulting in multiple scrums which were mainly dominated by the York eight. The referee was to have a good game, but in these conditions there were many mistakes and unforced errors from both teams, this kept play between the 22m lines, with Sandal looking after the ball better, as well as turning over a lot of the York possession. After 10 minutes Sandal are awarded a penalty on the York 22m in front of the posts for Hodson to convert.

Moving on into the second half, this territorial occupation by the visitors begins to show, a stout York defence holds out. A 25m driving maul towards the line culminates in a try for Will Henshaw under the posts for Hodson to convert, on 60 minutes. From the kick off York have a rare visit into the Sandal 22m, some impressive handling and recycling of the ball to the wing for A J Peplinski to go for the corner. He is brought down with a seat belt tackle from Cherry who receives a yellow card and the award of a penalty try. York are now desperate and begin to spark into action but give away a penalty on the 10m line, Hodson takes his time, in fact more than his time and the referee halts the penalty. Sandal now sensing victory are running the clock down keeping it close in the forwards.

Fulltime and its York 7 Sandal 10.

photos : https://www.yorkrufc.co.uk/photos/york-rufc-7-v-sandal-rufc-10-1094477.html