🤝 York RLFC Match Reports are proudly sponsored by Drive Taxis!
York Knights fell to an dramatic 15-14 defeat to Barrow Raiders after a penultimate minute drop-goal from Brad Walker at the Northern Competition Stadium.
York made a strong start to lead inside the opening quarter thanks to a Will Jubb dummy effort before Ryan Shaw and Matt Clarke tries before the break gave Barrow a narrow 8-6 lead at half-time.
The Knights reasserted their advantage with two quick-fire efforts from Oli Field and Charlie Severs to go 14-8 ahead with five minutes to go.
But Barrow conjured a late fightback to steal the points as Luke Cresswell went over before Brad Walker slotted over the winning drop-goal at the death.
The Knights struck first inside the opening quarter as the returning Jubb made an immediate impact on his recall to the starting line-up.
Jubb’s almighty dummy caught out the Barrow tryline defence as the hooker touched down on the left edge.
Will Dagger, also back involved after serving his suspension, added the conversion.
But the York full-back was unable to see out the 80 minutes and went off hurt clutching his shoulder before half-time. Centre Jimmy Keinhorst was also withdrawn through injury, causing a considerable reshuffle in the Knights backs.
Barrow were able to capitalise on the disruption with a couple of quick-fire tries for an 8-6 lead at the break.
Working an overlap down the left, Shaw touched down in the left corner before Clarke broke away down the same edge. Shaw missed both conversions to leave the Raiders ahead by just two points heading into the second half.
The two sides could not be separated inside the second half’s first 25 minutes as a tight arm-wrestle ensued.
York eventually broke the deadlock as some quality handling saw the ball go through the hands of Liam Harris, Ata Hingano and Joe Brown before stand-in centre Field went in at the left corner.
Five minutes, the Knights then profited down the right flank. Having spotted an overlap on the edge, Severs dived over in the corner for his first York try.
Amid the swirling wind, Harris was unable to convert either try from the touchlines.
Barrow threw caution to the wind as they chased a winner in the final five minutes and produced an inventive equalising try. Brad Walker chipped a kick over the York line which Ryan Johnston gathered, getting Barrow within 10m of the York and causing havoc in the backline.
Unable to recover in time, Cresswell went over to the right of the posts, with Shaw given the simple task of converting.
With a minute to go, the Raiders found the winning drop-goal as Brad Walker landed the penalty goal.
Barrow: Cresswell, Bulman, Costello, Clarke, Shaw, B. Walker, Johnston, T. Walker, Wood, Silva, Greenwood, Stack, Wilkinson
Subs (all used): Forber, Rothwell, Emslie, Gillam.
18th Player: Gittens-Bedward
Tries: Shaw (36’), Clarke (39’), Cresswell (76’)
Goals: Shaw (1/3)
Drop-goals: B. Walker (79’)
York: Dagger, Brown, Dee, Keinhorst, Lineham, Hingano, Harris, Ta’ai, Jubb, Thompson, Field, Severs, Bailey
Subs (all used): Fitzsimmons, Teanby, Daley, Nicholson-Watton.
18th Player: Harrison
Tries: Jubb (17’), Field (64’), Severs (70’)
Goals: Dagger (1/1), Harris (0/2)
