A “reality check” is probably the best way to sum up what was a very disappointing afternoon for the Clifton Park outfit. The unbeaten run came to a juddering halt in the face of a very determined and motivated Middlesbrough side, which saw York second best in many facets of the game.

The game opened on a fair, cool but pleasant afternoon with the York talisman Chris Fox at full speed, seizing on a loose bouncing kick off and driving well into the visitor’s territory. The ensuing attack was eventually tackled into touch 10 yards from the goal line and that was as close as York got for some considerable time.Middlesbrough began to probe, always varying the point of attack, at one point breaking blind only to be stopped by desperate defence some 5 yards from the York line. Although relief came with a line out infringement, York could not break the shackles and their defence was breached when No 10, Baggett skilfully crosskicked for his winger Kilbride to score in the corner. Bagget converted. (0-7).Upon the restart, Middlesbrough’s scrum half Foley again broke well and took play back into the York 22. At this point the visitors were playing some super rugby and following a series of driving plays, Foley scored a fine try with Bagget again converting. (0-14). Basically the first 20 minutes had been one-way traffic. Middlesbrough had been quicker to the loose ball and their turnovers were to prove decisive throughout the match.However it was an infringement by the visitors that allowed Liam Hessay to clear well and led to a good break by Fox. A further penalty took play into the corner, but although the ball was secured, the maul made no progress. It was clear that the visitors had a clear strategy to counter York’s major attacking weapon and throughout the match they basically succeeded. However as the first half came to its close York’s power began to dominate although careless knock-ons denied several promising drives. Finally a line out close to the Middlesbrough line developed into yet another almost static maul, but with the visitors finally infringing. The York scrum half Toby Atkin, as always, took a quick tap penalty and darted over for a “poachers” try which Hessay converted well. (7-14). Middlesbrough had dominated the first half.

The second half started with York on the front foot. ‘Boro were penalised but York failed to find touch and although they recovered the ball, they knocked on at the crucial moment. When Middlesbrough were ushered back 10 yards for a York penalty, the ball went into the corner only to be lost in the maul. Again Boro were penalised for infringing on the ground only for York to fail to find touch once more. However the home pack was really creating havoc in the Middlesbrough scrummage and after a series of 5 yard scrums, the yellow card was finally brought from the pocket, only for the offence to be dramatically raised to a penalty try. (One understands that the referee had been addressed in ungentlemanly terms). (14-14).In truth York had been encamped in Middlesbrough half for the first 30 minutes of the second half and apart from the penalty try had not really varied their point of attack which had allowed the visitors defensive lines to be very effective. With some 5 minutes to go, a York drive near the halfway, saw a crossing infringement and the penalty took play into the York 22. From the line out, play was brought into the centre of the field and York were again penalised for an infringement on the ground. Baggett made no mistake. (14-17).
In desperation York threw themselves at the visitors but again dropped passes saw progress stall and penalties conceded which a grateful, and delighted, Middlesbrough ran into touch.

York were not helped by injuries to Jon Dawes ( in the warm up ) and Josh Parker, but on the day the better side won. However, in terms of the promotion drive, it may well give the coaching team the opportunity to bring a little bit of realism into the York changing rooms.