York RUFC fired on all cylinders as they raced to victory over Sandal with a sublime exhibition of total rugby that secured the game 36 points to 21.

A minute’s silence started the afternoon’s events giving many time to reflect on the sad loss of Colin Ventress, whose broad smile has been a feature in the York RUFC family for many years.

The game was a great celebration of his life, one he would have loved to have watched.

Sandal travelled to York in second place in the table, a fistful of try bonus points testimony to their resurgence and playing style after indifferent form in recent seasons.

By contrast, York’s recent form had gained them third place in the table with a series of narrow wins against poorer opposition.

The opening quarter of the game saw both sides committed completely to the task in hand of establishing a platform and territory.

York had the better of the first quarter, retaining possession for long periods and camping in the Sandal half, the pattern broken only by a lovely arcing run from Fordy that put the York attack behind the otherwise solid defence. 

The deadlock was broken in the 17th minute when Shackleton gave a beautiful dummy and stepped over the line after good approach work by the pack to open the scoring at the Kit Kat End, converting his own try from wide out on the right. 7-0.

The combination of the score and perhaps the Sandal left wing being given 10 minutes in the sin bin for a reckless tackle on Peplinski seemed to be a turning point as York took complete control.

RECOMMENDED READING:

A platform established, York started to move the ball across the back line both left and right with a fluency we haven’t seen for some time.

York’s second try came after 26 minutes when they managed to force their way over wide on the left with Fordy getting the ball to ground.

Unconverted, the gap increased to 12-0 but it was one way traffic at this stage.

Arguably the try of the match came nine minutes later when Sandal tried to kick themselves out of defence with a long kick downfield. Peplinski collected.

From the catch he popped the ball to Davies who set off on the counter, Peplinski in support. 

Davies drew the tackler and put Peplinski into space who carried deep into the Sandal half before drawing the covering defender and feeding Atkin, who crossed to the left of the posts unopposed.

Shackleton converted to extend the lead to 19 points to 0.

Sandal’s persistence and never say die attitude paid off as they managed to pull one score back just before the whistle, ending the half 19-7.

Peplinski showed his speed to recollect the ball and set up the ruck. Swift hands across the backs and some straight running by Jackson set up the position for Rae to score wide on the right at the Yorkie End. 

A superb conversion by Shackleton extended the score to 26 points to 7.  Fordy added to the scoreline four minutes later, taking the score to 31 points to 7.

Sandal rallied, looking for a bonus point, the game having escaped them. Their backs and forwards combined well with some intricate interplay and sleight of hand at the breakdown.

Sandal don’t have six try bonus points for nothing and the ball seemed to dance lightly through the hands of their lively three-quarter line as they tried to find the gaps in the York defence. 

The York defence relaxed a little and allowed Sandal some space which they exploited with two converted tries either side of York’s last try by Peplinski. 

Despite the Sandal effort, York never lost control of the game and the result never looked in doubt, winning 36-21.