York City Knights 18, Workington Town 14
 
A bonus point might represent a good return from a trip to one of the better teams in Co-operative Championship One.

But there was more than a hint of disappointment from the Workington camp as their efforts probably deserved to bring back the three points.

This was up there with the best performances of the season from Town who led 10-0 early in the second period and were full value for that with a splendid display of committed, aggressive and effective defence.

They frustrated the Knights time and time again, particularly in the middle period of the first-half when the home side started to find their rhythm with more possession than they had enjoyed earlier.

Town’s defence has not been as watertight in several previous contests this season but on this occasion it was spot-on.

Chairman Dave Bowden led the praise for the side when he said afterwards: “I’m disappointed that we didn’t win it but I certainly couldn’t fault the effort and commitment. If we can play like that in the matches we have left I feel sure we can make sure of our place in the play-offs.”

Coach Gary Charlton was a little more critical adding: “I’m hard to please because I go out to win every game and this is one we should have won. The players want to win, too, and although there was plenty of effort and commitment we still went to asleep on occasions which cost us.

“I also thought we got the rough end of some decisions from the officials which could have changed the result.”

Both sides had two tries apiece disallowed and one of those chalked-off for Town late in the first-half caused most debate.

Scott Kaighan had picked-up a loose ball deep in his own half. Initially most players round about, including Kaighan, seemed to freeze but with referee Dave Merrick waving play-on the Town half-back hared away down the touchline.

The pursuing Knights players were never going to get to him as he raced fully 80 metres to touchdown. Then came the debate between the referee and his touch judge which resulted in play going all the way back down to the Town 10 metre line and a York scrum awarded – presumably for a knock-on before Kaighan picked-up.

Darren Holt also got over but couldn’t ground the ball while at the other end Nathan Freer and Jordan Ross got across the Town line but referee Merrick wasn’t happy with the grounding.

But most controversially of all was the second York try which put them level at 10-10 midway through the second-half.

Luke Hardbottle did very well for the Knights boring through towards the Town line and as he was nailed slipped a clever reverse pass out of the back door. It was seized by Steve Lewis who wet over but seemed to slam the ball into the ground from a height without any form of downward pressure, clearly a case of not being grounded properly. Merrick saw nothing wrong; the try stood and Danny Ratcliffe’s conversion nosed York ahead for the first time at 12-10.

It couldn’t have come at a worse time for Town as they had been reduced to 12 men just beforehand – and that was another controversial decision.

Skipper Mike Whitehead was sin-binned for what seemed a very innocuous challenge as he seemed to be impeded himself as he was preparing to make a challenge.

Going behind for the first time in the game and with their skipper binned it looked ominous for Town but they hit back in spectacular fashion to grab the try of the game - and a very strong contender for their best try of the season.

Holt, a key figure throughout for the west Cumbrians, produced a shimmy and a dummy to lose would-be tacklers on half way, before producing an audacious basketball style pass inside.

From there the ball was moved along the line at pace with eventually Aaran Low storming through take a pass from Kaighan and he had the dependable Jarrad Stack outside him to take the final pass and dive over for a superb touchdown.
Unfortunately Holt couldn’t convert but Town were back in the lead at 14-12.

Grim defence by the visitors kept them ahead until three minutes from time when, for once, they didn’t cover efficiently enough and Jack Lee was somehow able to get through two tackles to make the line and grab the winning try which Ratcliffe converted.

Town had opened the scoring in the ninth minute when the lively Jack Pedley burrowed over from acting half-back and Holt added the extras.

It was a lively opening from the visitors in which they looked the sharper and more inventive side, with plenty of options taken by Holt, Kaighan and Pedley.

Then came the 20 minute period when York enjoyed the territory and the possession before Town finished the half to good effect as Holt was successful with a penalty just before the hooter.

A second Holt penalty seven minutes after the restart edged Town further in front before the Knights started their come-back with a 55th minute try by centre Mike Mitchell which Ratcliffe converted.

It could well have been three points but in the final analysis the bonus point gained could be so vital as Town try to build momentum for their final play-off push.

STAR MAN: DARREN HOLT – Kicked cleverly and generally steered Town around the park with his experience a key component. Started the move which brought Town’s try of the season.

Town: Carter, Backhouse, Low, Frazer, Marshall, Holt, Kaighan, Rhodes, Pedley, Coward, Whitehead, Stack, Coupar. Subs (all used) Johnson, Robinson, McKenna, McDonald.

Tries – Pedley, Stack. Goals: Holt (3)

York: Haynes, Wilson, Mitchell, Allan, Lineham, Thorman, Ratcliffe, Freer, Lee, Dinsdale, Ross, Duckworth, Hardbottle. Subs (all used) Williams, Lewis, Clough, Stearman.

Tries – Mitchell, Lewis, Lee. Goals: Ratcliffe (3)

Crowd:612
 
 

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