Lancaster 31 – 18 York
Lancaster ended a decade of white rose domination in this fixture to round off the weekend in spectacular fashion, producing a stunning comeback from 0-15 down.
York failed to make their early pressure tell with a missed penalty but were finally on the board with the opening try midway through the half, working the ball across the pitch to open up the Lancaster defence for their no. 14 to score in the corner.
A missed conversion kept the score at 0-5, seeing 5 points dropped from two attempts at goal that would prove crucial in allowing Lancaster back into the match. Soon after opening the scoring York extended their advantage with a penalty before a converted try saw their lead stretch to 15 points, no. 11 breaking down the left to cross in the corner.
Lancaster needed a determined response before the break and they got one. Immediate pressure sustained on the York try line by Lancaster’s forwards from the restart saw Chris Taylor bundle the ball over the line, Ali Dunn kicking the conversion to get Lancaster back into the game at 7-15 before the interval.
A tight start to the second half ensued as York sought to hold on but red pressure was made to tell when Beesley stormed over the line between the sticks, the converted try bringing Lancaster back to within 1 point of York. Beesley was shown a yellow card minutes later in a moment which might have been critical as York converted the penalty to take a 4 point advantage with an extra man.
Lancaster however did not give up hope and showed great attitude in the face of adversity, pressing for a try that gave them the lead at 21-18. This was followed up with a penalty to open up a 6 point lead before the comeback was rounded off in superb fashion, a terrific break down the left from Captain Sam Cusworth before a phenomenal offload saw them go over the line, with Douglas Lyle scoring with the last play of the game. Cue pitch invasion as the watching Cats and rampant spectators rushed to celebrate this historic victory.
