York travelled to Newcastle to play a team they last played in the 2019/20 season following which they were relegated, however back-to-back promotions meant that they were on something of a roll. They were not finding the league easy; in their last home game they conceded 62 points to the league leaders Scunthorpe. But with 4 wins from 7 games they were 6th in the league with 20 points. York with 5 wins and third in the league with 23 points were looking to put a winning run together and keep the pressure on the sides above them.

The weather was drizzly and the pitch in racing terms was soft. A few York supporters had made the trip north and there was a healthy home support. York kicked off and took the game to the home side. From a line out on the 22 they went through several phases before prop Lewi Jackson scored from a bullocking run from 15 metres out. The conversion was missed. 0-5 after 6 minutes. From the kick off the home side conceded a penalty allowing York to quickly return to their opponent’s half and earn another penalty. A quick tap and go from Toby Atkin resulted in another penalty in kicking range and Harry Shackleton had no difficulty. The score now 0-8 after 14 minutes. Any thoughts that York were in for an easy afternoon soon disappeared.

From the kick off York were soon on the defensive and from a 5 metre line out the Percy Park man mountain second row was unstoppable from that distance and a try resulted. The conversion was no problem. 7-8 after 19 minutes. The home side now had the majority of the ball and territory and York when they had opportunities were not able to take advantage either knocking on, losing their line out or conceding penalties.

The home side were able to take advantage and from a penalty kicked to the York 5 metre line and although the initial efforts were repulsed the pressure eventually told and the try was scored from close range and converted to take the score to 14-8 with 5 minutes of the half remaining. York spent that time attempting to score and had chances which they were unable to convert.

The majority of the first 20 minutes of the second half was spent in the York half and they were unable to spend any time on the ball and when they did take the game to the home side conceded possession and territory through simple errors or penalties. The home side retained the ball well, went through the phases involving both the forwards and backs and kept York on the back foot. The result was a sniping run from the scrum half from a ruck inside the York 22 which when converted stretched the lead to 21-8 after 12 minutes. From the touch line it was difficult to see how York could get back into the game never mind come away with a win. Their cause was helped 2 minutes later when the home side scrum half was yellow carded for a high tackle.

They upped their game and were able to retain possession and take the game to their opponents but scoring opportunities didn’t appear. A series of penalties took them to the home side’s 5 metre line and York elected for a scrum which so far in the game had been dominant. They heeled the ball easily, put on a shove and were heading for the try line when the home side infringed and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try after 30 minutes to take the score to 21-15. Momentum was now with the visitors and there was sufficient time to score again, and the only concern was whether York would be able to do so.

It was close and opportunities came and went and just when it seemed that all was lost Ben Mills charged down a clearing kick 10 metres from the line, was able to collect the ball and score the try. Harry Shackleton put over the difficult conversion and with 3 minutes to go, York had the narrowest of leads with the score at 21-22. The question now for the nervous visiting supporters was whether their team could hold out which they did with ease to earn a very hard-won victory which at stages in the game appeared unlikely. All credit to the grit and determination showed by the team.

Next week York host Sandal who are second in the table.