Sat 11 Sep 2021
York RI 1st XV finally got their league campaign started this Saturday at their New Lane HQ and after a postponed match last week against Leeds Medics the lads were ready to get back into action. Fielding six players making their league debuts RI started well against a strong Thirsk team, who had soundly beaten Knaresborough the week prior.
Solid RI pressure led to a penalty on 12mins, with debutant Adam Infante opening his RI account. Ten more minutes of effort and a break by Irishman Rob Joy led to a try for Matt Sherring-Lucas, in the swirling wind Infante hit the post with the conversion. A probing kick into the midfield and good chase brought the turn over and Rich Tafa crashed over from short distance, Infante adding the extras. Thirsk rallied and pinned RI to own try line with three 5m scrums, but the blue and white line held firm. Thirsk were disappointed to end the half 15-0.
Straight after the break and after some sturn words five minutes of Thirsk pressure resulted in a try and a tricky conversion slotted in the increasingly windy conditions. The next period of the game was fairly uneventful, only points of note was a Thirsk penalty and RI skipper Frazer Land leaving the field after a clash of heads. On 75mins a bold decision by the Thirsk kicker changed the game, after being awarded a penalty on the half way line he opted for a shot at goal. He judged the wind perfectly and got the visitors within two points. As the clock was heading towards 80mins a tight decision from the ref saw Thirsk with another penalty on the half way line, some choice words uttered out of frustration saw RI being marched back 20m. Although his job had been made easier by RI's ill discipline, up stepped the Thirsk kicker who showed real class under pressure keeping his head to slot the kick and win the game 15-16.
The result was a bitter pill to swallow, but there were plenty of positives, the game saw flashes of what this new RI team is capable of especially in defence against tough and well drilled opponents.
RI travel to Knaresborough next week.
