York travelled to Beverley knowing that they needed a win and the bonus point to keep the pressure on second place in the league. Unfortunately, they were unable to control the game for the full 80 minutes and whilst they managed to secure the bonus point, the win slipped away from them.

Beverley started the brighter of the two and had the upper hand for the most of the opening 15 minutes. York won ball from a poor performing Beverly lineout but were unable to use the possession to any great effect. The opening points came from a York infringement at the scrum which the home team fly half converted, 3 – 0. Beverley continued to look the more assured as they pressured from the restart forcing another penalty, this time bouncing off the uprights. A third penalty gave Beverley a lineout and after securing the ball, drove the maul forward. York captain Fox was alleged to have brought the maul down illegally and shown a yellow. The home team opted for a scrum to take advantage of the extra man and it worked, moving the ball to the blindside and scoring a converted try, 10 – 0.The absence of Fox and having conceded 10 points looked like the motivation to spur York on who started to attack with greater effect and control. Led from the front by Rutherford, Parker and Benson, the forwards drove hard from the restart, forcing a penalty and setting up an effective catch and drive. Even without the bulk of Fox, the York pack overpowered the defending side and marched over for their first try, Parker the man to dab down. McClure unable to convert, 10 – 5. More penalties were given to both sides by the influential but unconvincing referee, Beverley managing to find the posts with one of theirs, 13 – 5. York found the corner with their turn of the penalty merry-go-round and looked to capitalise on their most effective weapon, the catch and drive. Capitalise they did; collecting the points from a try as Parker crossed the line and McClure converted but also reducing the opposition to 14 men as the Beverley tighthead prop was shown yellow for illegally attempting to stop the maul, 13 -12.

The first half closed out with York displaying the control which could win them the game; good field position and game management from McClure; solid forward drives led by Parker; Atkin and Newitt making good yards when the ball came out to the backs. Once York had got the journey over to Beverley out of their system, they played some solid rugby for the majority of the first half, Parker especially, showing good leadership when captain Fox had his ten minutes’ rest.

York started the second half in much the same way they finished the first, with good control and a clear shape to their game. Beverley were first to score as an advancing York scrum was penalised (for going forwards and pulling back at the same time ?), 16 – 12. Undeterred by the unique referring decisions, York pressed on and from clean ball near halfway, Goulding set off on one of his trademark rampages. Unable to make the line himself, captain Fox was on hand to carry the ball the last 10 metres, taking two defenders with him. Converted by McClure, 16 – 19.Both sides were showing better phases of play as the second half settled but York were able to take full advantage as they pushed for their fourth, the bonus point try. Potrykus carried the ball hard and straight into the Beverley midfield, initiating good carries by Benson and Norris. Parker finished the play by showing excellent pace and determination by scoring from 25 metres out. Conversion missed 16 – 24.

As the game entered the final quarter, both sides emptied their benches. Unfortunately for York it was Beverley’s ‘finishers’ who were able to have the greater impact. York’s momentum stalled after scoring the bonus point try and Beverley upped their work rate. The home side scored a well worked try, with their centres cutting excellent lines in midfield and creating the space for the number 8 Keighley to crash over. The conversion put the home side only one point down, 23 – 24.York tried to play in Beverley’s half but lacked the dominance they had shown for much of the game. Beverley’s defence was to be congratulated as the game closed as they pressurised York and continued to force errors. Their reward came on 75 minutes with a penalty within range. Converted by the replacement kicker, Beverley had the lead with four minutes to go, 26 -24. York continued to push forward and even with a good run on the left flank by Nicholson and yet another drive by Parker, the home side had enough defensive energy to keep York out and secure the victory for themselves.

York will be irked by the loss as for large periods of the game they showed maturity and stuck to a well-executed game plan, working with the referee’s whistle rather than allowing it to stall and frustrate play. Parker had an excellent day, carrying well, scoring tries and showing strong leadership. Beverley however, were good for the win and applied the pressure when it counted, scoring points when York failed to maintain control.York now have a week off before welcoming Keighley to Clifton Park on the 25th. The race for second spot in the league and playoff for promotion is very much in the hands of the holders, West Leeds who took five points from an away win at Acklam and are now five points ahead of York with four games to play.