1st Team reports:
Home to Pocklington 17/02/07
Despite plenty of effort and a great deal of heart R.I. were eventually beaten by Pocklington's well drilled pack whose efforts in the scrum and line contributed three tries to their total. An equally balanced first 30 minutes saw both sides kick two penalties each before Pocklington edged in front with Littlefair's first of three pushover tries. Leaving the half time score 11-6 to the visitors. R.I. went further behind just after the restart when a slick move by Pocklingtons backs saw them score under the posts. The game deteriorated as a spectacle as mistakes and too much whistle led to a stop start affair but two more pushover tries gave Pocklington victory.
Home to Ripon 27/01/07
An unsavoury incident fifteen minutes into the first half turned the game into a niggling affair. Leading ten nil through tries by scrum half Pigeon and full back Hart R.I. had the upper hand but lost captain Jon Alexander with a bad facial injury caused by a stray Ripon boot. Unfortunately the referee was unsighted and the culprit was allowed to play on. R.I. brought on Richard Townend but ended up all square at the break when the visitors were awarded a penalty try and scored with a rolling maul just on the break. The visitors edged ahead with a try in the corner but R.I. fought back strongly and reduced the arrears with a Ben Hobson penalty. R.I. then lost winger Musgrave, sent off for retaliation,and found themselves having to defend with 14 men. A second penalty try converted by Rua gave Ripon a nine point lead. From the restart R.I. attacked the Ripon line and were rewarded when Mallon dived over, Hobson's conversion cutting Ripons lead to 2 points.With play going from end to end finally Ripon,s one man advantage paid off when they scored wide out to win 27-20
Away to Heath RUFC 13/01/07
Heath Firsts. Heath were hoping for decent conditions to make use of their incisive back line up and, luckily, the worst of the weather didn’t materialise until after the final whistle had blown. However, conditions did have an effect on handling throughout the game.
Play was scrappy for the first five minutes or so, within possession being kicked away. But Heath made the first real break when winger Si Brown cut loose, though the final pass in the movement went to ground.
York countered straight away, putting themselves in the home side’s 22 from a penalty. But Heath’s defence held firm, turned over the ball and set centre Martin White away until checked. He then laid the ball off to second row Alistair Gordon, who romped the final 20 metres for a well taken try – converted by stand off Ryan Piper. 7 – 0 to Heath after around 10 minutes of play.
From the restart Heath cut loose again, with full back Giles Hetherington breaking out and laying off the ball to number 8, Ian Downsborough. Some good interplay between forwards and backs followed, which saw Gordon finally take the ball and drive over the line, only to be held up with some fine last ditch tackling from the visitors. From the resulting 5-metre scrum, the ball was spun wide to the linking Hetherington, who made the final pass for winger Brown to go over for an unconverted try. 12 – 0 to the West Vale men on 15 minutes.
Heath were now playing with confidence and immediately ran the ball from the kick off. Downsborough romped some 40 metres down the pitch, before laying off to winger Andy White, but the next pass went to ground. York momentarily recovered possession, but Heath’s centre Chris Merrick intercepted and reapplied the pressure. Hetherington broke through again and popped the ball out to Brown, who chipped for an “international” bounce to come back to Hetherington, who collected and scored under the posts, for a Piper converted try. 19 – 0 on 28 minutes.
Some scrappy play followed, but Heath regained their composure when stand off Piper made a great mid-field break, drew York’s fullback and gave a scoring pass to Merrick. Piper converted and took the score on to 26 – 0 after 33 minutes.
More pressure from Heath saw them over the line, but backrower Spencer Blackmore was held up over the line. York failed to use the following scrum to clear and, with the next put-in, Heath’s scrum half Richard Cole picked up and rushed over for another converted try, before the whistle for half time. 33 – 0 to Heath.
After the break Heath continued much as before, but their first attack failed to produce any points. However, some more good interplay between forwards and backs produced an overlap and a score for winger White. 38 – 0.
This finally seemed to spur York into action and, after a few phases of good play, they picked up 5 points from an unconverted try. Unfortunately, this level of performance wasn’t sustained and Heath’s Merrick broke to within 5 metres of York’s line. Hooker Blackmore gathered the ball and drove over for an unconverted try. 43 – 5 to the West Vale men. Piper made up for this miss by scoring a try of his own and this time converting it, to take Heath on to 50 – 5 after 20 minutes of play in the second half.
All three Heath substitutes, Mattock, Hammond and Gleeson were now playing and the home side was in full flow, though handling errors and the occasional “wrong option” saw points go begging. York then charged down a clearance kick and picked up the resultant loose ball for their winger to take up 5 points from a try.
Injury then took possibly York’s best player, scrum half Gary Pidgeon, from the field of play with the match interrupted for around 5 minutes. When the match was resumed, it was scrappy in parts but backrower Mark Mattock scored a 30-metre try, converted by Piper. This was followed by one final Heath score – another Piper try and conversion, to finish the game 64 – 10 victors.
This was another good performance from the West Vale men, who defended well when the had to and made the most of their scoring opportunities, only letting themselves down occasionally through a combination of over eagerness and the damp conditions. The points tally will help in the league and was amassed at a time when York seemed to have steadied their performance on the pitch in previous weeks.( report kindly borrowed from Heath RUFC website)
At Home to Selby 06/01/07
R.I. put in an excellent performance, giving league leaders Selby a fright, before going down 12-25 at New Lane on Saturday. Still smarting from the drubbing at Selby in November R.I. were keen to show that defeat was a one off and from the start made every tackle count. Selby's bigger pack started by using pick and drive tactics to work their way into R.I. territory and this paid off after 5 minutes when from a maul on the 22 meter line the ball was shipped out to the wing for a try in the corner. R.I. countered well and gained ground with Lynch, Mallon and Alexander all prominent however, a lost ball in the tackle allowed Selby back on the attack and when Potter jinked past his opposite number the line was open to him to score and give Selby a ten point lead. R.I. hit back almost immediately when full back Ben Hobson joined the line, took an inside pass from Humphries side stepped the Selby Stand Off and raced clear, he outpaced the defence to score in the corner. The home side took the lead just before the break, winning their own scrum ball slick passing saw the ball into Hobson's hands he beat two men before offloading to Musgrave and was on hand to take the return pass and score under the posts. Hobson's conversion gave R.I. a 12-10 half time lead. Playing down the slope in the second half Selby kicked for position and used their pack to drive the home side back and on occasions only desperate defence kept them out. R.I. had lost captain Alexander with an ankle injury but the rearranged pack did a magnificent job in frustrating Selby. The visitors eventually took the lead on the hour scoring from a push over try from a scrum on the R I line. Although it was still anybody's game the visitors always looked the stronger side and extended their lead when after a period of sustained pressure the home defence finally cracked giving away two tries in the last quarter to go down 12-25.
Away to North Ribblesdale 09/12/06
R.I's poor season continued with a 45-5 reverse at North Ribblesdale on Saturday. The home side, almost unbeatable on their own turf, took an early lead though winger Bilson and only brave defence stopped a second try minutes later. R.I. began to get themselves back into the game and almost scored when Hobson made ground up the middle and fed Humphries whose chip ahead just ran over the dead ball line before he could pounce. North Ribb hit back with a try under the posts by Barnes and crossed again just on the break to lead 19-0 at half time. R.I. had a spell in the second half where they played some good rugby but never managed to put points on the board but were punished for every mistake. The home pack produced some excellent close passing to increase the lead with tries coming for both wing forwards and hooker Conroy but R.I. never gave in and James Li was rewarded for his terrific display by scoring wide out.
At Home to Leodiensians 02/12/06
Despite going down 7-17 R.I. put up a terrific performance that had Leodensians defending desperately for much of the second half. Leodensians took the opportunity to play with the breeze at their backs for the first half but it was the home side that took the early initiative keeping the ball tight and using Mallon, Alexander and Stewart to pick and drive. From one of these drives R.I. opened the scoring, Alexander and Lynch combined to take R.I. up to the visitors 22meter line and when Pidgeon spun the ball wide Humphries sent Grice through a gap in the centre and when he was collared close to the line Humphries was on hand to touch down. Ben Hobson converted. Leodensians hit back on the half hour with two tries in a ten minute spell, both were scored by Second Row Dolphin and came from line outs on the R.I. line. The visitors caught the ball and their big pack drove the home side back over the line.Dolphins third try came from a clearance kick by Edie, who was kicking to relieve pressure, that was knocked on. from the resulting scrum Leo's drove R.I. back over the line. Edie converted to give the visitors a 17-7 half time lead. R.I. dominated the second half with Full Back Hobson,Grice and Nash all going close as R.I. attacked at every opportunity but the Leodensians defence held and R.I.went down 7-17.
At Home to Goole 18/11/06
R.I. came agonisingly close to their first win of the season before fate and the referee's whistle conspired to send them to defeat by a single point against Goole on Saturday. Electing to play with the wind in the first half R.I. wasted no time in attacking the Goole line, they pushed the bigger Goole pack back in the scrums and when they won good ball only brave defence kept Grice and Heslop from scoring. Ben Hobson kicked the home side in front on ten minutes when Goole were penalised for killing the ball. Goole drew level and went in front on the half hour when left wing Bell won the race for a speculative kick ahead. R.I, playing with renewed confidence, went back in front when after a sparkling move in the backs, Mark Musgrave took the final pass to dive in at the corner. Hobson used the wind to R.I's advantage to keep Goole penned in their own half and just on the break the pressure told when from a scrum on the visitors line the ball was whipped out to Robin Grice who crashed over. This gave R.I. a 13- lead at the interval. Goole came out firing in the second half with Stand Off Newcombe intent on keeping R.I on the defence but R I weathered the storm and with a series of drives by Mallon, Reed and Alexander they managed to get within distance of the visitors line. A knock-on gave Goole a scrum on their own line but as they heeled the ball the scrum half dithered and Paul Reed was first to touch down for R.I. Ben Hobsons Conversion put R.I.20-8 ahead with only fifteen minutes to go. Goole reduced the arrears with a try in the corner and stunned the home crowd by reducing it to 2 points five minutes later. They ran a penalty from halfway and managed to find an overlap to cross wide out. The missed conversion still gave R.I. a two point advantage but on the stroke of time Goole were awarded a dubious penalty and Allen stepped up to take the points and Give Goole a victory they did not deserve.
At Home to Knottingly 11/11/06
Despite going down 25-8 to Knottingley on Saturday, R.I. put in a much improved performance and hopefully it will not be too long before they get their first league points. Electing to play against the wind and rain in the first half R.I's tactics of keeping the ball tight proved effective as they continually drove Knottingley back. Paul Reed, James Li and Garrett Mallon picked and drove for 20 meters before the visitors were caught offside and Ben Hobson put R.I. in front with a penalty. Knottingley levelled after 20mins and went ahead with a converted try when poor tackling let in winger Seed. From the restart R.I. continued to use their forwards to make ground and from a drive by Alexander the ball was shipped to Hobson who drew the fullback and passed to Hart to score in the corner. Knottingleys half time 10-8 lead looked fragile but as the half went on their backs began to trouble R.I. and after 10 mins they extended their lead with a converted try. Although the wind had dropped R.I. carried on keeping the ball tight trying to release the backs when field position had been attained but strong defence kept them out. A penalty and another try just before the close gave Knottingley victory but left R.I, with a glimmer of hope.
Away to Selby 04/11/06
R.I. suffered their heaviest league defeat for for some years at the hands of high flying Selby at Sandhill Lane on Saturday, going down 82-0 Not since sending a weakened side to Bradford Salem in the Yorkshire Shield two years ago have R.I. conceded so many points, Although the absence of Oliver,Pidgeon and Grice meant reorganisation for R.I. Selby's Well drilled back line were too well drilled for the visitors defence and galloped into a 23 point lead in the first fifteen minutes. R.I. competed well in the forwards despite being smaller and lighter, youngsters Danny Hunt and fellow wing forward Chris Lynch standing up well to senior rugby and Paul Reed and Garrett Mallon carrying the ball well. Unfortunately for all the teams efforts they were second best to a rampant Selby side
At Home To Heath 21/10/06
R.I. are wondering when their luck will change as four more players were added to the long injury list after yesterdays defeat by Heath. Although R.I. were behind to a try after ten minutes they were more than a match for the bigger and heavier Heath eight and in Oliver and Lynch had tireless workhorses who drove the visitors back at every opportunity. A Karl Hart penalty reduced the arrears but from the restart a dropped ball put R.I. back under pressure,from the resulting scrum winger Beardsmore crossed in the corner. Heath extended their lead on the stroke of half time when Prop James was forced over. Down 15-3 at half time R.I. were still very much in the game however, it was not to be, Injuries to Grice ( knee ) Hogan ( neck ) and Prop Lawrenson to foul play left the home side in trouble and having to play the rest of the game with fourteen men. Needless to say heath took advantage of this to run in six further tries. The only consolation for R.I is that they did not give up and scored the last try of the game through Nash.
Away to Ripon 14/10/06
R.I's season got no better as they went down 34-0 to Ripon on Saturday in the bottom of the table clash. The visitors could count themselves unlucky as they more than competed in the first half and had Ripon defending desperately. Two successful penalties from the six awarded gave the home side a six point lead before poor tackling allowed Ripon to score in the corner to extend their half time lead to 13 points Despite being 13-0 down R.I. were very much in the game and made ground through the efforts of scrum half Pidgeon, who had retuned from injury, and Humphries. However, good defence from Ripon held R.I. at bay. The home side extended their lead with two converted tries in a five minute spell mid way through the half to effectively end R.I's chances of getting anything out of the game. A try on the stroke of time ended a miserable afternoon for R.I. who must be thinking when will their luck change for the better
Away to Pocklington 07/10/06
Although going down 27-5 in the first of this years derbies R I. can take some heart in a much improved performance that in previous weeks may have earned them points. Pocklingtons well drilled pack exerted the early pressure and from a foray into R.I's territory took the lead with a penalty when the visitors were caught offside. R.I. defended well and with the back row of Oliver, Thomas and Alexander making ground from drives it was Pocklington's turn to defend. R.I. went in front midway through the half when from a pick and drive by Mallon the ball was passed wide to Humphries who evade the home defence to score wide out. R.I,s half time 5-3 lead lasted until the tenth minute of the second half, Pocklingtons superiority on their own line ball saw them catch and drive over. Another push over extended the home sides lead to 13-5 before R.I. managed to steady the ship and force Pocklington back on the defensive. Unfortunately a head injury to centre Grice followed by an injury to Humphries stopped the visitors momentum and gave Pocklington the impetus they needed. From a line out on the R.I. line they caught and drove to extend their lead. The sin binning of flanker Mark Oliver saw the visitors down to 14 men and Pocklington taking advantage to score further tries for a flattering 27-5 victory.
At Home to Dinnington 23/09/06
R.I. lost this game in the first twenty minutes as a much changed side took that much time to organise itself but by the time it had Dinnington were 20 points ahead with two converted tries and two penalties. Karl Hart playing in the centre reduced the arrears with an interception try that Ben Hobson converted as R.I gradually dragged themselves back into the game. Alexander, Mallon and Reed picked and drove forward keeping the visitors on the defensive and when the ball was spun wide Nash and Hobson went close to scoring. Turning round 20-7 down R.I. continued to exert pressure but fell further behind when from a clearance kick from their own 22 metre line Dinnington winger James won the race to touch down. From the restart a break by Mallon was carried on By Stewart who was dragged down short of the line, the ball was rucked back and James Li was on hand to pick up and dive over. Although 27-12 behind R.I's make shift side took the game to the visitors and at times only desperate defence kept them out. A converted try just on time gave Dinnington a flattering 34-12 victory and resigned R.I. to another defeat that the will look back on as one they should have won.
At Home to Ashington 16/09/06
R.I. eased their way through to the first round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase with a comfortable 36-22 victory over Ashington on Saturday. From the start R.I. went on the offensive with Thomas, Oliver and Alexander all making ground deep into the visitors half forcing Ashington into desperate defence with only the boot of Stand Off Phillips coming to their rescue. The home side went in front when from a ruck on the visitors line the ball was picked up by Stewart who dived over to score. R.I.'s lead was short lived a Phillips chip over an advancing defence allowed winger Davis to hack on and win the race for the line. This spurred R I. into action from the restart the ball was caught by Tim Thomas who broke through three tackles and when faced with the full back slipped the ball to Ben Hobson to score in the corner. Hobson converted for a 12-5 lead. The home side went further ahead and this time it was Thomas, who was on the and of a break by Mallon and Oliver, that crossed for Hobson to convert. Just before the break Ashington pulled a score back when Murray crossed from a line out. Leading 19-12 at half time R.I were quick to extend their lead Tim Nash slicing through the visitors defence to score. There was now a bit of daylight between the two sides and when Humphries scored under the post and Hobson converted it looked all over but Ashington never gave up and reduced the arrears with a pushover try. A break by Heslop with five minutes to go was finished off by winger Towler was countered by an Ashington try on the stroke of time but by then R.I. were the worthy 36-22 victors.
At Home to Barnsley 09/09/06
R.I's season got off to a disappointing start as they went down 48-8 to Barnsley at home on Saturday. Having to make six changes from the team selected did not help but losing scrum half Pidgeon with a bad leg injury just into the second half killed any chance R.I. had of keeping the game alive. Barnsley, playing with the breeze in the first half, soon had R.I. on the back foot with drives by their back row taking them deep into home territory but dogged defence and the boot of fullback Hobson kept them out. R.I went behind after i5 minutes when a clearance kick was fumbled and from the resulting scrum the visitors open side Varley charged over. A second try saw R.I. go 12-0 down but just as it looked that more was to come R.I. reduced the arrears. A penalty by Hobson and then an interception try by Nic Humhphries cut Barnsley's lead to 4 points. The visitors struck again just before the break with a penalty and try from their stand off to give them a 20-8 point lead at half time. The second half began with Barnsley pressing down the right but strong defence saw the ball spilled and collected by Oliver who made yards before slipping the ball to Alexander who was eventually hauled down short of the line. The game was more evenly balanced but a leg injury to Scrum Half Gary Pidgeon which necessitated an ambulance being called put paid to all that. R.I had to shuffle their already mixed back line and eventually the pressure told. Barnsley ran in four converted tries in the last fifteen minutes to run out 48-8 winners. A score which overshadows the effort the R.I. team put in.