York put up a good fight, tackling well and at times gaining good ground through the forwards but a lack of creativity was their downfall as handling errors spurned most of their promising positions and from the best scoring chance, a close lineout in the second half, the ball was dropped – summing up the afternoon's efforts.

For the second week running West totally dominated the scrum and by the second half almost every put-in was ending up in West ball. This, combined with some poor kicking, made it difficult for York to clear their lines but despite this excellent platform the hosts struggled to score points with some questionable decision making close to the line.

York's best moments of the first half had come in the opening minutes with the maul clearly one of their primary weapons having secured some good lineout ball through number eight Andy Kay. The West defence was strong though and despite the possession the try line was not threatened.

The opening try came on 13 minutes. Rob Thorn was tackled into touch close to the line but the visitors failed to gain clean ball from the lineout and when the ball was eventually turned over, Davy Tighe fed Phil Henderson for a simple run in.

Despite looking the more dangerous side it took another 15 minutes to add to the total with another try – which would prove to be the last one of the game. It was a trademark West try, with Andrew Hare crossing in the corner after a blind side break from a scrum involving Dave Garside, Tighe and finally Hare. Moss was again unsuccessful with the conversion to leave the score 10-0 at the half.

West started the second period brightly but spurned a three man overlap with the line only metres away. Thankfully there was a saving grace in a penalty awarded in front of the posts which Moss had no problems converting.

It seemed like this might kick-start the league leaders but the game continued to descend into nothingness with neither side creating much. Tighe made a few breaks and the battle between Thorn and opposite winger Cakaunitabua provided occasional moments of interest but scoring opportunities were few and far between. Moss finally made the result safe with another simple penalty on 65 minutes, finishing off a rare attacking move where again, if West had been at their best, a try should have been scored.

You can't argue with 8 games unbeaten and West did enough in the game to win it, but no more. Maybe our standards are getting higher given the current position! Another win is what was required and it was earned with the opposition held to no points – all in all a satisfactory afternoon.


West: Painter, Thorn, Howe, Hodgson, Hare (Cheslin), Moss, Tighe, Cullinane, A Dixon, Robinson (Norris), Henderson, T Dixon, Rudd (Edwards), D Boatman, Garside

Tries: Henderson, Hare
Pens: Moss 2

York: Ellershaw, Westwood, S Arkle, Harland, Cakauntitabua, Ventress, J Arkle, Rutherford, Sharpe, Pellow, Halifax, Thomas, Councell, Davies, Kay
Reps: Williams, Odell, Jackson


Referee: Ray Sutherland [Durham Society]