Handling errors bite on a faltering first day for York RUFC (From York Press)

Handling errors bite on a faltering first day for York RUFC

10:19am Monday 3rd September 2012 in Rugby Union

A TAME defeat at newly-promoted Barnsley came with a touch of deja vu for York RUFC in Yorkshire One.

The Clifton Parkers were beaten 35-22 in South Yorkshire on Saturday – a year on from their disappointing reverse away to Pocklington, who were also newcomers to the division.

York started the game brightly but poor handling and execution, together with an excessive penalty count, allowed Barnsley to get a foothold in the game with their large forwards and a well-organised catch and drive at the lineout.

The hosts bagged the opening try on seven minutes. After the first catch and drive of the match saw them held up in goal, they crossed from the resulting five-metre attacking scrum.

Barnsley added a penalty – a kick that was matched by York fly-half Ben Johnson on 24 minutes.

York’s only period of error-free rugby in the first half brought them a try on 32 minutes.

Ater stretching a scrambling home defence with quick handling, Billy Cakaunitabua was hauled down five metres from the line and eventually Tom Boyle sent Johnson on a good running line under the posts. Johnson converted his own try for a 10-8 lead.

However, the visitors trailed 15-10 at the break after they failed to deal with the restart, hacking into touch, and Barnsley’s lineout catch and drive rumbled to the line to create the opening for a converted try.

Further errors at the lineout and poor handling in the back line at the start of the second half led to a penalty by Barnsley and they quickly added a second to lead 21-10.

On 60 minutes, York gifted Barnsley a try after another handling error on their own 22-metre line.

York’s time came after a wayward Barnsley kick was gathered by Atkinson and, after a great break by Cakaunitabua, Jim Rossington came up with an unconverted try.

Yet another York handling error on their own 22 gave Barnsley free passage to the try line and the conversion made it 35-15.

York finished the game with a flourish after a number of penalties were conceded by a tiring Barnsley side and Cakaunitabua crossed with the last play.

Johnson added the conversion.

Elsewhere in Yorkshire One, Scarborough opened with a 21-20 victory at home to Driffield.

Selby made a winning start to their Yorkshire Two campaign, beating Hullensians 20-7.

Hullensians led 7-0 but Selby battled back to lead 8-7 at the break with a Ben Lunt try and a penalty by Josh Cruise.

Alex Webster and Lunt crossed in the second half and Cruise kicked on conversion.