A much-changed York side hung on for a narrow victory against Middlesbrough in what was to prove to be a frustrating game for players and spectators alike. Victory by 10 points to 8 secured their place in the club’s first Yorkshire Cup final.

Middlesbrough are having a good season in Regional 2 North and hoping to join York in Level 5 next season. On paper, a comfortable win was expected for York sitting in third place in Regional 1 North-East. However, injuries and unavailability (York had 26 players unavailable) in what was scheduled to be a rest weekend made this fixture unpredictable. York’s back line took on a new look with Goulding and Du Bouley slotting in from the back row and Zac Burlingham taking the reins at stand-off. It was a debut too for Jonty Atkinson at full back. A new set of faces in the back row in Hare, Hardie and Layne completed the forward line up with a familiar looking front five.

A minute’s silence preceded the game allowing us all to reflect on the tragic loss of Brian McClure. A man who did so much for the club in his own quiet way, Brian was much loved and will be sorely missed. We are all still coming to terms with his loss and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Margaret and his family at this difficult time.

Middlesbrough kicked off against the wind to initiate York’s lively start to the game. Urgency and appetite were palpable as York retained possession and territory for pretty much the first half. In the opening exchanges the forwards carried and recycled well, Burlingham looked very comfortable at stand-off, making some good choices in kicking for position and showing deft skills to release the running options around him. George Watson’s School educated Hardie, and Jordan Layne both eager to carry the ball up, were prominent.

York’s pressure was met by what would reveal itself to be a tenacious Middlesbrough defence, tackling pretty much everything that York was able to throw at them. An early penalty chance was missed by Burlingham but York maintained pressure to enable Croft to cross under the posts almost unopposed after some good approach play by the forwards. Burlingham made no mistake with the conversion to take York into a 0-7 lead after 15 minutes.

It was another ten minutes before York created their next chance of scoring. Good pressure by Croft on the Middlesbrough throw secured the ball for York on the right. The familiar pattern of forward carries running at the 10/12 channels before releasing the ball wider ensued, setting up York on the left. Difficult to tell who had carried over in the melee on the line but Mr Park was well positioned to disallow what we thought was York’s second try for a double movement. York were looking increasingly frustrated in their attempts to secure their second score and their lack of composure on the ball coupled with Middlesbrough’s appetite for tackling was starting to create unforced errors that allowed Middlesbrough to edge back into the game. A brief spell in the York half and some hard work by the Middlesbrough pack gave them the opportunity to pull the York lead back to 3 points to 7 at half time.

The second half became a fraught and frustrating affair with both sides making lots of errors that prevented any flow to the game, much of it being played out in the middle third of the field. Knock out rugby added its own pressure; winner takes all, no losing bonus points available here. Despite this both sides had their opportunities to secure the game. York squandering an opportunity from a lineout five metres from the Middlesbrough line. Croft secured the ball, York set the driving maul and were over the line but somehow couldn't get the ball down.

Middlesbrough broke the deadlock when Marsay came into the line, threw the subtlest of dummies to break through the York defence. Once behind the tacklers, Middlesbrough straightened up nicely and combined well down the left-hand side to score from 70 meters out. Jones couldn't convert and the tension increased, Middlesbrough 8, York 7.

York fought their way back but unforced errors and some questionable options impeded their progress. Eventually securing a penalty 30m out York chose to go for goal. Burlingham teed up the ball, composed himself and seemingly waited for the wind to drop before slotting it neatly between the uprights. Middlesbrough 8, York 10.

The frustration increased, particularly for Jones who was “shown the cheese” (the yellow card) by Mr Park after swearing at the referee. Given the proximity of the offence to the Middlesbrough line and their dominance throughout the afternoon, York opted for the scrum five metres out. The scrum moved forward; a try looked inevitable, but loss of control at the base resulted in a knock on as they were crossing the line. Middlesbrough had their own chance to secure victory as they pounded the York line in the dying minutes. The York defence however, created enough pressure to force the error and York were awarded the penalty. With time up, Burlingham casually tapped the ball and kicked it over his dead ball line to end the game.

York were a better side than Middlesbrough on the day, though for long periods it didn’t look like it. They created good chances and played with great endeavour but more composure and sometimes the simpler options would have arguably seen a more clinical and comprehensive result and one less stressful for the spectators. However, a place in the final is secured. A chance to create history is available when York plays either Cleckheaton or Bradford Salem. Before that, league rugby resumes next week with a visit to Sandal – always an uncompromising place to play!

York: Atkinson, Goulding, Du Boulay, Dent, Rae, Burlingham, Atkin, Westaby, Consterdine, Jackson, Croft, Fothergill, Hare, Hardie, Layne. Rep: Scholey, Dziurzynski, Reed, Simpson.

Middlesbrough: Marsay, Moloney, Kilbride, McPhillips, Carney, Jones, Foley, Lynas, Sawdon, Quinn, Lang M, Walker, Lang A, Brown, Tremeltt. Rep: Helm, Nyinguro, Colvin, Hodgson.

Referee: Mr Simon Park, South Yorkshire Society.