York v Tech
Clifton Park 5/2/05
Durham & Northumberland 1

The surrounding scenery may have been picturesque but sadly the action on
the field was not of similar stature. This was an error prone match played
between two teams seemingly hell bent on ensuring that the game did not
finish 15 a side! But surprisingly, both teams did retain a full compliment
of players till the final whistle and in between the pugnacity York managed
to do enough to secure a workmanlike victory, their performance though did
little to suggest that they are the league's second highest scorers.

As for Tech, whilst their defeat coupled with good wins for both Ryton and
Ponteland meant that their chances of moving up a place in the league are
now very slim indeed, they can take heart from the game and go into their
remaining fixtures with confidence, their never say die attitude on show
again. Once again their pack had a fine afternoon, giving the home eight
more than a match up front, Stephen Smart and Kevin Cook standing out with
excellent performances. The midfield defence of Cavey and Corrigan was also
a highlight for the visitors with both centres snuffing out dangerous
looking York attacks and when the opportunity arose showed promise in
attack.

York started the proceedings kicking off up the slight bank. They
immediately put their visitors under pressure and tested Tech's defence with
some purposeful drives. It seemed that a try was definitely on and such
thoughts were vindicated on five minutes when scrum half Smith broke from
the base and fed outside centre Nick Ventress who crossed for the
afternoon's first points.

But Tech hit back and using their capable forwards drove York back into
their own half. Then from a line out, second row Phil Jukes was hauled down
by a York player. James Masshedar struck the penalty between the uprights to
reduce the deficit to two points.

The game then entered one of many stagnant periods with play hovering around
in the midfield. Neither team seemed able to make the decisive break but
even so, York still looked the team most likely to create the scoring
chances. Winger Rob Kama, who to York?s regret was a virtual spectator
throughout the game, still found the odd occasion to show Tech what he could
do with the ball in hand with a number of dazzling breaks. It was Kama
himself who started the move that led to York's second try. Again from
broken play the winger picked up, beat a couple of Tech players and made his
way into the Tech half. From here York's pack took over and following some
good drives, play was taken up to the Tech 5 meter line. The ball was then
spun out and eventually found its way to winger Arkle who coasted home.
Copeland added the extra points.

Tech had a chance to add a further 3 points shortly before half time but
Masshedar's penalty attempt, given for a late tackle on Adam Howard-an
incident that led to one of the game's many confrontations-fell short and
following this the game stuttered along to half time.

The second half continued in very much the same style of the first with play
constantly being held up because of a clumsy knock on or a poor pass.
Surprisingly, much of the incoherence in the backs was coming from York,
with play after play turning pear shaped when it seemed that a try was
beckoning. The frustrations being felt by the home players were obviously
building up and with Tech competing ferociously at the breakdown, it was
only a matter of time before a fight broke out. Once the fisticuffs had
concluded though, the referee chose not to brandish any cards, not perhaps
the best of decisions as a player or two in the cooler may have simmered the
tension between the two teams.

The game then began to peter out in the following fashion knock on, scrum,
fight but on 71 minutes York broke the cycle by interrupting its rhythm with
a fine try. A 5 meter scrum, given after a York player was judged to have
been held up, saw back row Clutton break away with the ball and send scrum
half Smith over. Copeland failed to improve the score but with Tech two
converted tries adrift anyway, it held little significance.

York 17
Tries: N Ventress (5), Arkle (30), Smith (71)
Con: Copeland (30)

Tech 3
Pen: Masshedar

York
Copeland, Arkle, N Ventress, Taylor, Kama, C Ventress, Smith, Humphries,
Sharpe, Cunningham, Macdonald, Williams, Clutton, Davies, Kay (C), Subs
used: Allen, Rutherford, Davies

Tech
Masshedar, Jones (C), Cavey, Corrigan, Cole, A Parker, C Williamson, Palmer,
Dixon, Thompson, Jukes, Howard, Smart, Vincent, Cook, Subs used: Mason,
Brown, M Parker


Referee: John Clayton (Yorkshire)