TOO CONFIDENT?

Northallerton 1st team travelled to York RI in their second game of the season in high spirits following last weeks convincing win. Unfortunately, North were maybe too confident and fell to a lack lustre 17-8 defeat.
North suffered an early blow when in the 3rd minute, flanker Russ Hayward had to be replaced due to injury by youngster Liam Lincoln. Lincoln however proved to be a capable replacement and also one of the few positive aspects of the day. The game was very even for the first ten minutes until North took the lead with a penalty from Rhys Kilbride, this seemed to spur York on, who upped the pressure and pinned North back into their 22 for the next twenty minutes. During these twenty minutes North suffered a double blow as firstly prop Nicholas Bainbridge had to also go off injured to be replaced by Paul Dennison. Then scrum half Cannel inexplicably lost his temper with York's number 8 and was sin binned for attempting to throw a punch! It was during his ten minute 'rest' period that York scored their try after a quick tap penalty caught North napping allowing the home team to go over. North missed a penalty just before half time to go in behind 7-3 at the break.
With North now back up to 15 men, they started the second half in the ascendancy and spent the first ten minutes in the York half. However, failure to clear the opposition from a ruck allowed York's flanker to steal the ball and feed it out to his backs to race away and score another converted try. Fifteen minutes later York were awarded a dubious penalty when Lee Peake was penalised from not rolling away despite being injured! York converted the penalty to lead 17-3. Five minutes from time North scored a consolation try when Jonny Baker went over for a try in the corner following some good passing from the backs.
Ultimately too many mistakes combined with being to slow at the rucks and breakdowns cost North the game. Final score 17-8. Next week Northallerton 1st team are at home to Roundhegians.