York RUFC welcomed their local rivals Driffield for the fifth league game of the season to Clifton Park, having made a solid start to the season, winning five out of five and sitting in fourth position.

The home side were looking to put the disappointment of losing to Huddersfield in the last league game aside, get back into winning ways and move up the table.

Driffield, having won and lost twice and occupying fifth position, were the second top scorers but have conceded 30 more points than York.

From the kick-off, Driffield immediately took the game to York and after only three minutes, earned a penalty which was kicked.

It was not long before the situation for the home side got worse. York kicked from their 22, the follow up and chase was poor, the visitors were able to bring the ball back into the 22, whilst a desperate York defence resulted in a penalty conceded and captain Archie Fothergill yellow carded.

Driffield opted to kick to touch and won the line out, before putting the ball down the back line and used the extra numbers to score in the corner. The conversion was missed. 0-8.

Despite the visitors having the majority of the ball and territory, York were able to score next. From a scrum in their opponent’s 22, they moved the ball left and Shane Goulding touched down in the corner. Harry Shackleton missed the difficult conversion. 5-8.

Despite Driffield still monopolising possession York were able to add to their score. They pulverised the visitors at a scrum, resulting in a penalty which was kicked to the corner and an unconverted try scored by Shane Goulding. 10-8.

It was not long before Driffield were back in the home side’s 22 where they conceded another penalty and a yellow card to Joe Simpson. They kicked to touch, York defended the catch and drive and when the visitors put the ball down the back line, they knocked on allowing York to clear.

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The home side then enjoyed the longest time on the ball in the game so far but could not make it pay.

York then lost possession, allowing Driffield to attack and a clever kick over the home sides back line bounced well for them, they collected and good support allowed them to touch down in the corner. The conversion was was missed. 10-15.

The second half begun as the first had ended, with the play in midfield before Driffield were able to take play into York’s 22.

York were coming more into the game despite injuries resulting in forwards having to play in the back line. More pressure resulted in a yellow card to a visiting player. York elected for the scrum but despite the ball going through several phases could not turn pressure into points.

They continued to take the ball to the visitors with most of the play now taking place in their half. Constant York pressure resulted in another yellow card to Driffield.

Eventually the pressure told, and with 15 minutes to go, centre Will Fordy managed to find a gap and score in the corner. Shackleton could not convert. 15-15.

York kept up the pressure, a drop kick by Shackleton just missed but from further pressure earned a penalty which was kicked to the corner. The throw in was cleanly taken and the forwards drove over the line and Ben Mills came up with the ball. The conversion was missed. 20-15.

Next week, York travel to Heath.