Report: 310803

York City Knights 36 Chorley Lynx 32

National League Division Two - 31 August 2003

York City Knights came out on top against league leaders Chorley Lynx in a thoroughly absorbing encounter. The Lynx went into the game knowing that a ninth straight win would keep them on course for the title and a plum home tie in the play-offs. The Knights on the other hand knew that two points against the league leaders would almost certainly secure them a top six place by way of their superior point's difference over Swinton Lions.

The Knights, again missing several key players, were at least boosted with the news that Richie Hayes and Carl Hughes were declared fit despite being rated as doubtful earlier in the week.

The Knights, buoyed by a vociferous crowd, got off to the best possible start with a try after just two minutes. To the disbelief of the crowd, the Lynx knocked on in the in-goal area straight from the kick-off forcing them to drop out from under their posts. From the kick the Knights took the ball in before switching play left where Darren Callaghan was on hand to provide Rob Kama with the pass to go over in the corner. Danny Brough added an excellent conversion.

The Knights turn away after Mark Stewart's second try

The Knights extended their lead further with a Brough penalty after the Lynx had been penalised for stealing the ball in front of their own posts.

The Lynx quickly hit back to get off the mark. Chris Newall found a gap before passing to the supporting Mike Briggs to score under the posts. Mark McCully converted.

Danny Brough then sent a beautifully weighted high kick in the direction of Lynx flyer Eric Andrews, whose indecision allowed Mark Stewart to pluck the ball out of the air to touchdown in the corner.

McCully then hit a post with a penalty attempt but Brough made no mistake moments later when veteran Tim Street was penalised for roughing up Trevor Krause in the tackle.

Danny Brough prepares to take the conversion as the Lynx gather behind their sticks

Craig Dean then scored a wonderful individual effort to reduce the deficit, accelerating through a gap some 15 metres from the line and then side stepping the last man to score at the side of the posts. McCully made no mistake with the simple kick.

Within a couple of minutes the Lynx had taken the lead for the first time. Jamie Stenhouse powered through a gap down the left to score in the corner.

Moments later the Knights had an opportunity to draw level but Danny Brough's penalty attempt went just wide.

Mike Briggs then darted over beneath the posts on the half hour mark for his second try of the game and McCully extended the lead to eight points by tagging on the extras.

Knights captain Richie Hayes in action

The Knights continued to attack the visitors, and with their earlier try in mind, Brough sent up another high kick to the corner where Mark Stewart rose once again to gather the ball and score to the disbelief of Andrews. Brough's conversion attempt hit a post.

There was still time for one more chance before the break and it fell to the Knights. The Lynx knocked on deep in the Knights half, Alex Godfrey reacted quickly to pick up the ball and race clear, but was pulled back by referee Addy who awarded a scrum. - HT 18-22

The Lynx started the second half strongly scoring after just two minutes. McCully took a pass close to his own line and made good ground down the left before working the ball inside to Dean who was halted twenty metres short. The scrum half managed to get the ball out to the supporting Newall whose diagonal run took him clear to the corner.

Graeme Hallas completes a tackle

The Knights bounced back immediately. Danny Brough's run caused indecision in the Lynx defence before the youngster found Graeme Hallas to power through one would be tackler on his way to the line. Brough converted to bring the Knights to within four points.

By now the Knights were playing with a great deal of self belief as they began to take the game to the visitors. Twice they went close, before the ball was quickly worked right to John Okul who spun out of a tackle to score from close range. Brough's kick restored the Knights lead.

Brough was then wide with a drop goal attempt as the Knights tried to put daylight between themselves and the visitors.

Danny Brough turns away as another kick sails between the uprights

Moments later they achieved that as Krause's grubber kick caused confusion in the Lynx defence allowing the Australian to drop on the loose ball. From there they quickly spun it right where Alex Godfrey was on hand to race through a gap to score. Brough's kick extended the lead to eight points.

The Lynx always looked dangerous with the ball in hand, particularly down the left. Coates sent a diagonal kick towards the touchline which bounced nicely for Andrews to score in the corner, too far out for McCully to convert. And, despite a tense final thirteen minutes, the Knights held on for a thoroughly deserved win.