An excellent performance by the Young Gogs, still not at full strength, shook the students at Eirias Park on Sunday. York had won all of their league games last season and gained promotion to the North One division alongside Liverpool University who had narrowly lost to the Gogledd Cymru senior side the week before.
The students looked good for the first ten minutes but the hard working home pack began to grind them down and force their side forward. From third phase possession, Mike Oakden picked up and charged forward before off loading to Joe Sproston who timed a fine pass out to Mike Hall. The man of the match hooker crashed into the defence and crossed the line to score. Carwyn Milburn, playing at full back, kicked a fine conversion. Within five minutes, the students found a gap in the home defence and scored a try out wide but the conversion was missed and the Gogs remained ahead. The home forwards then produced a sustained period of pressure and the irrepressible Nathan Roberts picked up from a scrum and brutalised his was over in the corner. Milburn again converted from the touchline. The period up to half time was evenly matched until a yellow card was shown to Anthony Tilley for not using arms in the tackle. The students kicked the penalty from this offence and it looked like the home side might suffer for Tilley’s indiscretion but his team mates rallied and held out until the break leading 14 - 8.
There followed a stalemate for almost half an hour until a penalty by Milburn put the Under twenties side beyond a score ahead. This was a cue for the Gogs to cut loose and fine runs from Paul Selwood, Adam Price and Dave Jenkins threatened their opponents line. Kriss Wilkes then showed his class and cut through the tiring visitors defence to score under the posts. The full back rounded off affine all round game with yet another conversion. The students gave their all in the dying stages but the back row led by captain Dale Blackmore with Tilley and Roberts tackled everything and locks Aaron Organ and Matt Banks ensured that any holes were blocked. Scrum half Wil Davies gave way for Craig Horseman to make an impressive debut and Mike Oakden stood aside for Sean Aaron Jones to show what future talent there is in the region. An injury to stand off Jamie Morris meant that Wil Davies was back on the park at ten but the side kept their shape. With just a minute to go Nathan Roberts suffered an horrific break to his leg and an ambulance had to be called. The game could not continue and was called no side. Nathan was taken to Glan Clwyd where he had an immediate operation. Monday morning saw him sitting up smiling and joking about his injury, amazing both staff and visitors with his spirit. Many thanks to Physio “Princess” Leah, Jimmy Waring and the ambulance staff for their kindness and professional actions.
