YORK RUFC recorded back to back Regional One north east wins after impressively defeating struggling Paviors 44-19 at Clifton Park.

Although not quite Spring-like, the weather was calm and dry and almost perfect for rugby.

York took the field with Harry Shackleton starting at 10 and Archie Fothergill taking over from Patrick Hayes (hamstring) at openside in a strong team, keen to exact revenge for the ‘last kick of the game’ defeat in the reverse fixture.

The hosts made the perfect start, crossing for the game’s opening score after just tree minutes. 

Tom Woffendin fed Shackleton who in turn put Joe Maud through under the posts for a lovely try that was subsequently converted by George Davies.

The restart was taken well by York but they subsequently lost in contact, giving Paviors the chance to spread the ball wide. 

A York interception knock on brought the first scrum which was well contested, and certainly reflected Paviors’ intention to attack the game.

With Jared Kelly leading the forays, Paviors were giving as good as they got, and when York were penalised for a high tackle, the subsequent penalty into the corner saw a rolling maul crash over for an unconverted try to bring the scores within two. 

Shortly thereafter Toby Atkin broke, fed Will Fordy and in turn the rampaging Maud, but he was penalised for not releasing the ball. 

The decision was abruptly overturned leaving Davies an easy conversion. 

That proved to be a turning point as York’s driving game was beginning to punch holes in Paviors’ defence and a lovely break saw Shackleton feed winger Mitch Ashman who crossed and touched down behind the posts with 22 minutes on the clock.

From the restart York won a scrum, with the impressive Angus Barrick driving close before Paviors were again penalised. Davies again converted, giving the hosts a comfortable 20-5 lead.

York were clearly in control, and if not for knocks on and some optimistic passing, would have found themselves further in front.

The hosts’ next try came on 37 minutes, with Davies evading several tackles before feeding Ashman to scored wide out. Davies himself added the extras. From the restart, Lewi Jackson, on as a tactical replacement, was seen to be rampaging up the field scattering aside Paviors defenders.

York forwards were not to be denied and in the ensuing drive, scrum half Atkin pilfered what was really a forwards try. Davies again converted. ( 34-5 after 40 mins). 

A half dominated by the driving forwards with just the odd vignette of back play.  

During the break the Riot Act had clearly been read to the big Paviors forwards who from the off were running hard and straight and subjected York to intense pressure. The defence was good but when York did break out, a knock on saw them back on their line.  

Shackleton found a great relieving touch but York were then penalised for a high tackle. The kick took Paviors to the York 5 metre line and with a well drilled rolling maul Paviors were over for an excellent try, converted from the touchline. (34-12 after 48 mins).

The restart took York into opposition territory for the first time in the second half and Maud made a good break bursting past several defenders and Davies almost set Ashman clear with a clever chip ahead, but York were then penalised and Maud was sin binned, leaving the home side back in their own 22. A further York infringement and Paviors opted for the line out.

A throw to the back and they were over close to the posts. (34-19 after 58 mins). Basically it had been one way traffic since half time and images of the ‘Disaster at Driffield’ suddenly did not seem so fanciful.

Play entered a fairly scrappy phase with Paviors losing a little steam and giving away several penalties allowing Shackleton to ease the pressure with several fine kicks to touch. However, when eventually York gained a penalty near the Paviors line the ball was lost.

The tide had however turned and York began to tighten up and with Maud having returned, the forward unit began to dominate again. A fine penalty touch find by York’s no 10 led to a good passing movement which saw Fordy over for a lovely try out wide. The conversion failed (39-19 after72 mins) but the York tide was flowing again.

When Sam Elliot was illegally impeded in full flight York again went for the corner option.

The rolling maul failed and ended in a slight melee, for which York were penalised, but Paviors were unable to take any territorial advantage. York were on top and with minutes to go it really was a case of who, where and when another score would occur.

It was the hardworking Fothergill who capped an excellent afternoon with a 30-yard dash to score an unconverted try (44-19 just short of full time).