York travelled to Halifax side Old Crossleyans (Croc’s) hoping to continue their recent run of good form. Having won 5 of their last 6 and playing opposition involved in a relegation battle, York must have been confident in chalking up another win. The last encounter back in April 2008 had York coming out on top 27-18. In spite of that win we were relegated from North 2 East into Yorkshire 1 that season.

Croc’s took first advantage of the breeze but it was York who had the early pressure but were unable turn it into points. Both teams showing a willingness to run the ball. York should have score on 10 minutes when slick handling put Tom Newitt into space but the referee judged the final pass forward. Minutes later York were again on the attack resulting in a penalty which was pushed just wide. York kicker Hessay made no mistake 2 minutes later when he converted another Cros’s infringement. 3 nil York. Croc’s first period of pressure saw York infringe, allowing Croc’s 11 Sweeney to level the score 3-3. The game was full of mistakes by both sides, but it was Croc’s who were in the ascendancy. Their best chance came from a poor clearance kick from York, Sweeny gathered and raced 70 yards avoiding several York tackles before being held up short by a desperate York defence.

This seemed to spring York into action when on 28 minutes after good work by the York pack, Singleton broke to the left avoiding several Croc defenders and was able to feed Hessay who strolled over for the try. Conversion added 3-10. York were soon again on the attack, this time excellent handling by the York backs allowed Newitt to break through to feed Nicholson who raced 20 yards to score wide out. Conversion attempt drifted across the posts 3-15. York should now have gone on and put Croc’s to the sword but not for the first time this afternoon would they allow them to get back into the game. From the restart the kick off was dropped when the catcher was under no pressure. Scrum to Croc’s on the York 22, where the ball was worked blind, York conceding a penalty. The kick into the corner allowing Croc’s to win the line and easily drive over for a simple try. Sweeney converting from wide out. 10-15 to York at half time.

Croc’s kicked off the 2nd half, again York indecision allowing the home side to exert pressure. York were penalised, Sweeney reducing the deficit 13-15. York were under the “cosh”. The visitors suddenly work upfield and bring play into the home sides half, where a Hessay penalty extended the lead 13-18. The next 10 minutes had neither side in the ascendancy, and it wasn’t until the 15th minute that York extended their lead further. Good work by the York pack produced turnover ball allowing Parker to make good inroads into the Croc’s defence. The ball was recycled quickly to the York backs, the inspirational Newitt again breaking the home side defence, with Davies in support the ball was moved inside for York’s 3rd try of the afternoon. Hessay converting 13-25 York. For the second time in the game, York held a twelve point lead, surely with 20 minutes still to go they would press on, put the game beyond the opposition and secure the winning bonus point with a further try. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. A combination of the home side upping the tempo and York again taking their foot of the accelerator allowed Croc’s back into the game. York’s defence however on the whole stood firm and it wasn’t until the 33rd minute did the home side reduce the deficit when a driving maul produced a try wide out with the boot of Sweeney again hitting the mark. 18-25 with 7 minutes to go. A tense 7 minutes followed with the home side recycling phase after phase, again the York defence held firm. In fact it would be York who would come closest to scoring with the York backs leading the way, several passes from deep in their own half had Newitt once again in the clear only to hauled down short by the covering defence. The game petered out with York having the last opportunity to score with a penalty that would have seen the home side lose their losing bonus point. The kick drifting wide. Final score 18-25 to York.

York will reflect of course on another game won. The manner of the victory should have all those concerned, pondering on the improvements needed to be more consistent. To nearly give up a 12 point lead twice to limited opposition will need much reflection. York at times are devastating with the speed at which their backs can break a defence. The forwards can produce periods of pressure that would trouble most teams in the league. There is a naivety in their decision making both in attack & defence that should improve as the team continue to gel. York have made great improvements as the season has progressed, as the results have shown. We are winning games that earlier in the season we would have lost. Next week we travel to Scarborough where a much improved performance will be needed to continue our winning ways.