Match Report by Hugh Kane

York travelled to Burnage, Stockport this week. Placed 10th and 12th in the league respectively this had the potential for being a close game, nevertheless the travelling York faithful were hopeful of a repeat performance of the previous week against Billingham. Regrettably this wasn’t to be, and York’s consistent away form continues to be a mystery and frustration for players, coaches and supporters alike.

Billingham started the game with lots of energy and focus that seemed to surprise York, driving the ball well and offloading to great effect. York looked a little disjointed and sluggish in a congested midfield, falling off tackles that allowed Burnage in for the opening score of the game after only 6 minutes. York responded with a penalty from Hessay after 15 minutes in a rare venture into the Burnage half. The game settled into a fairly even contest where the lead exchanged hands regularly. York were working hard but hadn’t worked out how to play the narrow pitch where two less men on the field from either side would have been a benefit. York were securing consistent phase ball but were struggling to release it quickly enough to overcome the press defence from Burnage. Thirty minutes into the half, good forward pressure set up an attacking position on the 22m line. A long pass from Liam Hessay found Sam Taylor on the left wing whose pace and tricky running somehow managed to weave through the Burnage defence to score: Hessay converted. Burnage 7, York 10. Burnage hit straight back. York’s defensive efforts were still inconsistent failing to bring the energy and commitment in the contact area required to suppress Burnage on this narrow pitch. Just before half time a mis-match on Will Scholey saw the Burnage centre, Oldham create the gap for full back Clarke to score. Half time, Burnage 14, York 10.

The second half started where the first had left off. Both sides continued to swap scores with Burnage extending their lead after only two minutes of the second half with a penalty before York hit straight back with strong forward play resulting in a melee of bodies over the line; Ross White grounded the ball and Hessay converted again. 17-17. York were looking more consistent. The scrummage and lineout that have got better and better as the season has gone on creating a good platform to attack from. However, the congestion in the midfield was still creating problems for the York defence, Burnage offloading well and exploiting what seemed to be a hole around inside centre. Another penalty to Burnage took them into the lead 20-17.

A spell of good territory created by the strong forward platform and a change of tactic seeing York turning the Burnage defence by kicking over them resulted in York creating more gaps and taking the lead again, through Toby Atkin, converted by Liam Hessay. 20-24. It was short lived. Burnage scored down the right hand side from weak tackling. A York penalty set up an even game 27-27. York pressuring the Burnage line again got the York supporters on their feet with the prospect of a try down the left, having developed space for Taylor. The long pass missing the centres proved too long this time and the Burnage wing Fallon intercepted and showed good pace to outpace Taylor, who had to turn and chase, over 80m to take Burnage into a 34-27 lead. Seven minutes left, York were camped on the Burnage line. York had a scrum 8m from the Burnage line on the left hand side. The dominance of the York pack in this area gave confidence that we would be able to pull the game back. York drove, Burnage squeezed and turned, disrupting the ball at Goulding’s feet. Repeated offences occurred, the referee awarded penalties to York who chose to maintain the pressure by opting for the scrum on each occasion. Frustratingly for all, the referee only awarded penalties and not a penalty try or a card. The final whistle blew, Burnage looked like they had won the cup final, York heads hung dejectedly again.

York’s away form remains a conundrum and a disappointment for the players and supporters alike and the team will rue their mistakes which ultimately cost them the game. The energy and commitment displayed so regularly at home, particularly against the better sides in the league, doesn’t seem to get on the bus with them when they go away. On their day, York are good enough to beat any side in the league and many have said they deserve to be higher placed than they currently are. Their inconsistency dictates otherwise. Only home games (4) left now, hopefully the away form will stay on the bus.