Before yesterday’s game, Middlesbrough had won two league games and lost two this season. Along with York, they had beaten Wheatley Hills and North Ribblesdale, their losses were against Beverley (who York beat narrowly on opening day) and Heath. York had a big win last weekend against Scarborough. To play Middlesbrough, Chris Peace moved to scrum-half and Sam Potrykus took his place at inside-centre.

Middlesbrough began the game defending strongly but were penalised and Liam Hessay, the York fly-half, kicked the goal to give York an early lead. Middlesbrough were determined and reversed York attacking ball at a ruck. After direct and straight running from the Middlesbrough centres, Joe Secret and Peter Homan, the ball was recycled quickly and distributed to winger, Sean Maloney, who scored. Andrew Baggett missed the conversion. The ex-Blaydon fly-half atoned to kick a long penalty extending Middlesbrough’s lead a few minutes later. It was a competitive game, Matthew Todd, the Middlesbrough full-back, got a yellow card for a ruck infringement. The home team’s defensive line continued to tackle well, John Dawes (at full-back) kicked accurately to gain field position but Andrew Baggett responded with a long kick of his own. Middlesbrough forced the York scrum back and gained possession, after the ball was retained in midfield York were penalised and Andrew Baggett kicked the host’s into an 11-3 half time lead.

Sustained Middlesbrough attacking possession to start the second half was rewarded with a drop goal by Andrew Baggett to put Middlesbrough eleven points ahead. With York behind and half an hour remaining the game was alive. The York scrum became more dominant and Chris Peace took advantage of this and scored York’s first try of the game. John Dawes converted and York were buoyant. Joe Maud (flanker) returned the Middlesbrough re-start powerfully and it took several men to stop him. Middlesbrough were penalised again and York’s advance continued. York had several scrums five metres from the Middlesbrough try-line. The scrum was re-set more than once and Middlesbrough were determined against the experienced York pack. York were awarded a penalty, chose the scrum again, nudged forward and Shane Goulding picked up the ball from the back and got over the line. John Dawes kicked the conversion to give York a three point lead. 14-17. Joe Maud again returned the re-start strongly and Chris Peace added another thirty metres running up-field. John Dawes kicked cross field and York winger, George Davies, collected the ball. Middlesbrough were penalised and John Dawes kicked the penalty to give York a six point lead with ten minutes remaining. 14-20. Defending a lead, York now had a different task and the game was getting fractious. Middlesbrough surged forward. Liam Hessay showed good positional sense to make a cover tackle and also made an important clearance kick. Chris Fox (second-row) picked up a yellow card as Middlesbrough pushed for the converted try that they needed. Middlesbrough put sustained pressure on York and got a try in the corner. Gareth Singleton (winger) and John Dawes defended bravely but couldn’t stop the Middlesbrough winger, Ben Wood. The difficult conversion (the game’s last play) would determine which team won, Andrew Baggett was unlucky, the conversion slid wide. York won a tough match by one point in which both teams played committed rugby.

York host Old Rishworthians next Saturday.