This season the RFU introduced promotion and relegation play offs. As a result of being at the wrong end of the table and finishing third from bottom York travelled to Teeside to play Middlesborough who finished one place above and therefore had the home advantage. It was a big game for both teams, the winner stayed in the league, the loser has to play a further game against the winner of the playoffs in the leagues below.

In the league games the hosts easily beat York at home in October and York had a good win when they visited Middlesborough in January. Both sides came into the game following good wins in the last game of the regular season. Middlesborough defeating Harrogate and York Ilkley.

The weather was fine and bright with a bitter wind blowing down the ground. The pitch dry and both sides were well supported.

York kicked off playing into the wind and were soon on the defensive as the hosts played a very risk free approach using their big pack to hammer away and on occasions putting the ball down the line. York were able to defend but saw little of the ball and found it difficult to get out of their half. It didn’t appear that either side would make any impression then a break required a try saving tackle from Harry Shackleton 5 metres from the line. York managed to defend the resulting line out and take play back to the half way line and spend time on the ball without threatening their opponent’s line, but from a scrum on halfway Middlesborough’s wing was able to breach the line and score in the corner. The conversion was missed. The score 5-0 after 13 minutes.

The score gave the hosts confidence and they began to play with more freedom, spread the ball wider and ask questions of the York defence. They were up to the task and able to get out of their half and take play to their opponent’s 22. The defence was good and the game was being played in the middle of the pitch, neither side able to make any impression as a result of determined and strong tackling.

As York started to get into the game more and put phases together on 30 minutes the host number 8 received a yellow card for a high tackle on Charlie Rae as a result of which he had to leave the field on a stretcher. Would York be able to take advantage of the extra man? The question was soon answered as Callum Wilson scored a try which Harry Shackleton was able to convert. The score now 5 – 7 after 35 minutes.

York could not hold out until half time and Middlesborough were able to add to their score with a straight forward penalty to finish the half with a narrow lead of 8 – 7
The view of the travelling supporters was that the home side had not taken full advantage of the wind and having the majority of the possession and territory. The game was there to be won and to score first in the second half was vital as it was likely to be a low scoring game
York started the second half with more purpose and with more of the ball and were soon in the opposition half, The scrum was going well and penalties were following. From one Toby Atkins took it quickly and took play to the 5 metre line. The forwards battered away before Toby took advantage of a gap and scored under the posts after 12 minutes. Harry Shackleton had no problem with the conversion. York were back in the lead with the score at 8 – 14.

The away supporters hoped that their team would kick on and register another score to make it a 2 score game but their intensity seemed to drop and Middlesborough found another gear and were soon on the attack and eventually the pressure told and they scored in the corner after 20 minutes. The conversion was kicked so they had a narrow lead of 15 – 14. The game could still go either way. Both sides were unable to make any impression before the hosts were the first to add to their score with an unconverted try to stretch the lead to 20 -14. York had 15 minutes to rescue the game, and they battled away but could not gain any momentum or make any impression against a very solid and uncompromising defence. They were not helped by a number of injuries as a result of which a number of players had to play out of position. A yellow card to the hosts with 5 minutes to go gave the visiting supporters hope but they could not take advantage of the extra man and their hopes were dashed as the final whistle went.

On the balance of play Middlesborough deserved the win, they took their chances and closed out the game at the end. As for York the game was there to be won. The scrum was very solid throughout the game and more than a match for the heavier Middlesborough pack, but they lacked creativity, were not clinical enough and could not find that extra gear. They now play either Consett or Pocklington on the 9th May at home to avoid relegation

Jonathan Leach
26th April 2026