York 92 – 10 Castleford
Saturday 31st March 2012
By Steve Maud.
York saw a number of changes from the side that went down at Driffield last week. With Rossington moved into the second row as Fox was unavailable. Maud went onto the open side flank to cover for the injured Rich Roberts, Andy Kay came in at number 8, and Freddie Portrykus started at hooker with Buxton on the bench. In addition there was a tactical switch that saw Dawes move to fullback and Atkinson move up to standoff.
Castleford’s season had gone into melt down since a number of key players had left the club. They have conceded close to 400 points in their last 4 games. That said the players who turned out for them at Clifton Park on Saturday although outclassed, did not to their credit and that of their club, roll over and they did not lie down.
The writing was on the wall straight from the kick off as York ran the ball wide along their back line to Rich Downey on the left wing who cleverly chipped the ball over his opposite number to collect and score under the posts. Dawes converted; he would have one of his most productive goal kicking days as he was asked to convert a total of 14 York tries many of which were scored under the posts.
After 5 minutes York lost their inside centre Sam Portrykus after he collided with an opponent following a high kick chase. Portrykus received a compound fracture of his nose as well as one of his toes in a freak injury that saw him leave the field. Sam spent the night in York District Hospital to await surgery to repair his injuries. His first team colleagues, friends and supporters at York are wishing him a speedy recovery.
Gareth Singleton replaced Portrykus going onto the right wing with Billy Cakaunitabua taking up the inside centre berth. The injury to Portrykus initially knocked York out of their stride for a while and Castleford enjoyed some good field position and possession. It was when Castleford kicked the ball that they were unable to contain the counter attacking back 3 from York. Dawes who gave a man of the match performance had time and space and made a number of significant line breaks during the game releasing Singleton on a number of occasions. Singleton who scored his first of four tries in the match on 22 minutes finishing off a great team try. 14 – 0. From the restart York went of their feet at the ruck on their 22 metre line. Castleford kicked the penalty 14 – 3.
Castleford were unable to cope with the York attacking play and after Kay had picked and driven from a York scrum on their own 5 yard line, securing quick front foot ball, Dawes rounded the outside centre drew the last defender and put Atkinson away who narrowly won the foot race with the chasing Castleford number 8 Baldwin to score under the posts. 21 - 3
On 32 minutes Norris retired from the game with a suspected metatarsal injury. Freddie Portrykus moved to tight head where he gave a good account of himself for the rest of the game and Buxton came off the bench to hooker.
Following a period of York pressure, deep in Castleford 22 Boyle tapped and went from a quick penalty the ball ended up in the hands of Mat Halifax who crashed over to score. 28 – 3 which was the halftime score.
From the restart York collected the kick off which was driven through forwards before Cakaunitabua easily stepped inside his opposite number to score. 35 – 3.
As Castleford tired York ran the ball at every opportunity from all areas of the pitch. This resulted a further 9 tries being scored through Singleton 3, Dawes 2, Downey, Maud, Rossington and Martin. Dawes converting eleven of them on the day.
Indicative of the of the Castleford’s spirit and refusal to lie down was a try by the Castleford number 8 Baldwin following some feeble York tackling to take the score to 73 – 10. York eventually running out 92 – 10 winners.
York have two games left this season, they can’t do any better than their current position of 5th in the league but if results go against them they could end up as low as 9th.
The games remaining are Bridlington away and Pocklington who will be by then league champions at home on 22nd April 2012.