On a bitterly cold day a good crowd was there to welcome in the new year, hoping that York could continue their winning habit at home.
Huddersfield kicked off and immediately they were on the offensive, occupying the York 22m, a clearing attempt is charged down, the ball rolls into touch. After only two minutes of play the line out is won and Huddersfield move the ball wide to Kian Stewart who uses his pace to score in the corner, the conversion from Will Milner sails between the uprights for a dream start, for the visitors. The pressure continues as Huddersfield attack down the left, this time Finn Stewart has the ball in hand and looks like scoring, only a crunching tackle from York full back George Davies eliminates the threat.
After this shock start York begin to settle with big ball carries from Lewi Jackson and Will Scholey breaking first tackles and getting over the gain lines and moving forward, but then unable to turn this into advantage. Strong runs from Will Fordy and Sam Forbes in the centres, then the continuity breaks down. A tip tackle on the Huddersfield 22 in front of the posts, we think this is a golden opportunity for York to open their account and get the scoreboard rolling, uncharacteristically the kick goes wide.
A series of penalties takes play into the York 22m allows Huddersfield to put the ball into the corner a driving maul goes forward for Francis Parfitt to touch down and the conversion is added by Will Milner.
Again, more penalties this time from Huddersfield, this is keeping York in the game. The referee is losing patience as discipline deteriorates and the York scrum begins to work, as it has all season, yellow cards being issued to the Huddersfield forwards, is this the opportunity for York to come back. Just as we think the game is turning, Huddersfield make a rare visit into the York 22m and spread the ball through the hands, Lewis Workman appears in the line and breaking the defensive line to score by the posts for Will Milner to convert. York 0 Huddersfield 21.
More yellow cards for Huddersfield, but York are unable to take advantage of this as the scrum continues to dominate, in spite of a huge defensive effort for the last 15 minutes by the visitors but they cannot keep their line intact. A penalty in front of the posts sees the ball recycled to Will Fordy and some quick offloads leaves the ball in the hands of Henry du Boulay who forces his way over to score in the corner and a well struck conversion from Harry Shackleton is scant reward, for the home team with ambitions to win this league.
A rare visit into the York 22 and Huddersfield are awarded a penalty as Will Milner takes the opportunity to give a final score and a deserved victory. York 7 Huddersfield 24.