Toulouse Olympique 8-16 York Knights: Match Report

York Knights beat Toulouse Olympique 16-8 to go four points clear at the top of the Betfred Championship at Stade Arnaune.

The Knights overturned an eight point deficit in the top of the table clash to take the points, which puts them in the driving seat to claim the League Leaders Shield.

Despite picking up two late yellow cards, a strong second 40 minutes meant the Knights took control to win a crucial match.

Two York tries in the space of five minutes in the second half proved vital, as Mark Applegarth’s side took their winning run in the league to 15 games. .

With so much on the line, it looked a nervy start from both teams in the opening minutes, with handling errors a feature. It was only a penalty that broke the early deadlock with 10 minutes gone, when Jake Shorrocks kicked the home side ahead after a high tackle.

Soon after, with the Knights still trying to get a foothold in the game, Toulouse got the opening try. Thomas Lacans accelerated through a gap on the left after some short sharp passing, and Shorrocks converted to lead 8-0.

Handling errors were still an issue for the Knights and they struggled to build any pressure on the Toulouse line, with most of the play taking place in their own half. However, they were defending well and repelling any further Toulouse attacks.

Just before the half hour mark, the Knights got going. A cut out pass from Ata Hingano found Scott Galeano to touch down in the corner, but too far out for Harris to add the conversion.

As half time approached, what appeared to be a high shot on Harris was put on report and York were awarded the penalty. Despite the resulting pressure, the Knights couldn’t capitalise and the deficit remained 4 points at the break.

Further handling errors at the start of the second half meant it took time for either side to find any rhythm again. However, when Toulouse couldn’t deal with a high kick from Harris, Galeano was on hand to gather the loose ball and score a second try of the evening. Harris’ conversion put the Knights ahead for the first time.

It was a wonderful spell for York, who lead stretched just five minutes later. More pressure on the Toulouse line ended with Oli Field being put through for a converted try, and suddenly York were eight points in front and finding form.

If Ben Jones-Bishop had then been able to take a long pass out to the wing with the line begging, that lead could have been extended again. However, York were looking increasingly dangerous with ball in hand.

Sides like Toulouse don’t give up though, and the Knights had to ride a bit of a storm as Olympique built some pressure of their own. York’s defence was tested but it didn’t look like cracking on their own try line.

As the clock ticked down, the tension rose. When another high shot gave Toulouse a penalty in front of the posts with 7 minutes to go, they elected to run it, only to knock in the face of pressure from Jesse Dee and miss a chance to close the gap.

That tension rose further with four minutes left, as Bailey Antrobus was dispatched to the sin bin for a high tackle, reducing York to 12 men.

Again, the Knights absorbed the pressure near their line, and despite having Toa Mata’afa sinbinned in the final minute, they hung on for a crucial win in the battle to finish top of the table.

Toulouse: Ashall-Bottm Laguerre, Marcon, Rennie, Ulberg, Lacans, Shorrocks, Belmas, Hands, Buthler, Jussaume, Stefani, Marion

Subs: Cator, Bretherton, Roumanos, Wallace

18th Player: Chiffolleau

Tries: Lacans (13)

Goals: Shorrocks (2/2)

York: Mata’afa, Jones-Bishop, Buchanan, Field, Galeano, Hingano, Harris, Martin, McShane, Antrobus, Dee, Bailey, Thompson

Subs: Pemberton, Santi, Clark, Fitzsimmons

18th Player: Dagger

Tries: Galeano (27, 46), Field (51)

Goals: Harris (2/3)

Sin bin: Antrobus (76), Mata’afa (79)

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