With four games to go including today's fixture at home to Keighley, and lurking five points behind second placed West Leeds, York hope to collect as many bonus point wins as possible in case West Leeds slip up. Keighley were one of three sides welcomed to Clifton Park today; the third team hosting Redcar 2’s in the cup and the Cav’s playing Roundhegians.

With near perfect conditions, warm sun and a light breeze, York started the more positive, scoring through Parker in the opening minutes. McClure added the extra’s 7 – 0. The score shook any bus journey fatigue out of the visitors as they fought hard for the next 15 minutes to maintain parity and both sides struggled to gain the upper hand. Keighley scored the second try on 20 minutes as York gave away possession near the halfway line and the visitor’s fullback gratefully skipped through the retreating York defenders to score a well-deserved try. 7 – 7.

York regathered focus, and the lead, straight from the kick-off with an excellent kick-chase and aerial win by winger Nicholson. The ball moved through hands to Scholey who showed pace to score. McClure started a run of near misses with the boot as the conversion went wide 12 – 7. Half way to the bonus point, York applied pressure to maintain their momentum. It came with relative ease, first Parker bagging his second and then Benson taking a trademark peel from the tail of the line out and confusing the defender with a slow sidestep to crash over. 22 – 7.

The home side had the advantage in the scrum and were driving Keighley back with ease but at times they were unable to release the backs as 8 and 9 looked a little clumsy with the ball. As the first half came to a close, Keighley were the side to profit. York were repeatedly guilty of not protecting the ball in contact and allowing Keighley to strip possession. On one such occasion, Keighley turned the ball over from York in their own half and formed a maul. Goulding managed to thwart the first real drive at the line but eventually Keighley were able to barge their way over via their number 8. Converted, the score at half-time was 22 – 14. York had shown dominance at times but were unable to keep hold of the ball long enough to convert this into real points. Keighley pressurised York well and forced mistakes.

The second half was somewhat different as York managed to win the half 43 – 0, scoring 7 tries. As Keighley tired and became more frustrated, the pace of York’s backs repeatedly proved the difference. Goulding scored the first try of the half after a misjudged back hand pass by a Keighley centre gave the ball to Newitt who made good ground before Singleton drew defenders. Goulding, supporting well at the breakdown was on hand to crash over. McClure re-found his range to add the extra’s 29 -14. The next try, and possibly the most impressive, came straight from the kick-off; replacement winger Dunlop catching the ball and showing excellent pace to beat a number of defenders before feeding Newitt and then McClure to score 34 – 14.

Not to be outdone, the forwards took the opportunity to show the ground they could cover, first the former colt Will Scholey bounced an on-rushing defender onto his rear and then the bowling-ball Coe made 20 metres. Unfortunately, his team mates were unable to keep up with him and the ball was again lost in contact. Parker collected another brace of tries, first from close work on the far right of the field and then after an excellent break by Thomson in midfield. McClure converting the second of the scores to move York 46 – 14 up.

Try number five of the half went to the ever-industrious captain Fox (converted) 53 – 14. A quick note must also go to Will Norris at this point, who after 70 minutes of scrum domination was still able to pick a miss-placed pass off his boot laces and save the knock-on - good flexibility Nozza! Dunlop finished a good team play for try six; a lineout giving quick ball to the backs who ran straight, drew the defenders and passed neatly for the score out wide, 58 – 14.

The final try went to Tom Newitt, who miraculously had yet to score! Turnover ball gave him the opportunity to counter-attack and a quick chip over the onrushing defence allowed him to control and dab down his own kick for the final try. McClure adding the conversion and extending his own points haul to 15. The final score York 65, Keighley 14.

The result was pleasing for the home supporters and highlighted the pace and creativity of York in attack. The ease and regularity at which the ball was lost in contact will be annoying rather than worrying. Keighley played their part well in the first half, frustrating York with their bristling defence but in the second half the motivation seemed to have ebbed away. The referee had a positive afternoon, keeping a relatively low profile and allowing the game to flow. The lack of control at the breakdown aside, York played well; the scrum especially. Josh Parker gets a mention for the second game running for his ability to get over the white-wash for a hat trick of tries.

Whilst York did all they could, West Leeds matched their efforts on the day, beating Bradford Salem 50 – 10, thus maintaining their five-point advantage over York. With only three games to go (York away to North Ribblesdale, home to Old Brods and then away to Heath; West Leeds away to Beverley, home to Keighley and finally, away to North Rib) York will need an increasingly large banana skin to stop West Leeds finishing ahead.

Team : Rutherford, Scholey, Norris, Fox, Benson, Parker, Thomson, Ambler, Hessay, Nicholson, Singleton, Newitt, Atkin, McClure.
Subs : Coe, Garland, Dunlop
Pleasingly 12 of these were products of the York Youth section.

Photos : http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/yorkrufc/photos/york-v-keighley-25th-march-2017-728922.html