HThompson

Published at 01:00, Thursday, 13 July 2006

By Martin Morgan

YORK belied their status as relegation strugglers, but ultimately Haven proved far too strong in every department.

There was no sense of panic in either the Haven team or on the terraces when the visitors took a shock early lead.

The longer the match went on, the better the hosts performed, save for the final few minutes, when the City Knights scored two converted tries to boost their points difference.

“We just had too much firepower for them,” said Haven coach Dave Rotheram, who noted that his team still had plenty of improvement in their locker.

“We gifted them their points. I was disappointed the way we turned over some cheap ball, which they converted in to 24 points.

“All their scores came off our errors, which is something we need to address against the better teams, because they will punish us even harder.”

Aaron Lester, in his first game since February after recovering from a broken arm, was outstanding for Haven, contributing a tremendous workload.

Mark Leafa was busy, as was another mid-season capture Aaron Smith, and full-back Gary Broadbent was energetic in attack and tireless in defence.

But not even Broadbent could stop York’s opening try on eight minutes.

Peter Fox finished off a great team effort, with the City Knights producing fine support play before the winger touched down under the posts, Paul Thorman converting.

The hosts could have hit back on the next set after forcing a York error in the tackle.

But Carl Rudd lost the ball as he crashed over the line under heavy pressure.

York centre Chris Spurr then exploited a gaping hole down the middle to break out of his own half, only for a Broadbent ankle tap to save the day.

Playmaker John Duffy seized his first chance to score on 26 minutes. He show-ed great balance to dance around Thorman before carrying two defenders over the line with him. Rudd added the first of his six conversions from as many attempts.

Haven visibly lifted after the try, forcing three consecutive sets. The visitors had to crack under such intense pressure, big sub Neil Baynes finally barging over from close range just moments after entering the fray.

Any hope of Haven seizing the initiative however was lost when York regained possession from the re-start after forcing their kick over the sidelines.

From the resulting possession, John Smith latched on to the impressive Jonny Liddell’s angled kick over the Haven try-line, Liddell adding the extras.

Just as against Leigh, Haven scored from their first possession of the second-half, with Craig Calvert again the man on the scoresheet.

Haven built pressure with three consecutive sets before the winger shook off his marker to cross.

The Haven faithful did not have long to wait for their next try. It came when Leafa took a return pass from Rudd and then found Lester on his inside.

It appeared the skipper would mark his return with a try, until the cover closed in.

But before he was taken to ground Lester skilfully slipped a pass to the supporting Leroy Joe, who touched down between the sticks.

Broadbent made the game safe on 58 minutes. Duffy's kick through seemed certain to roll dead, but Broadbent nipped in as opposing full-back Matty Blaymire watched on.

Smith's inside pass to Duffy in the shadow of York's posts created Haven's next try on 63 minutes.

The scrum-half found Steve Trindall, who proved unstoppable from close range.

Haven were now in total control, and when Rudd went on to convert Calvert's second try after he scorched unopposed down the left touchline to double his personal tally, the hosts were 42-12 up.

To their credit, the visitors refused to give up, and they scored two late tries.

The first came off a sparkling five-man move launched by winger Austin Buchanan, Liddell touching down under the posts at the Kells End.

Liddell converted his own try and was again on target when Lee Lingard latched on to an angled kick to the corner.

York had another score ruled out in the final seconds for a forward pass.

Last season’s NL2 champs have won only two league matches this term, against bottom club Oldham.

But they are no easybeats, and the battle for survival could turn out to be just as interesting as the action at the top end of the division, where Haven will hope to feature.

Haven: Broadbent, Calvert, Rudd, Eilbeck, Maden, Joe, Duffy, Trindall, A Smith, Fatialofa, Wright, Leafa, Lester. Subs: Sice, Teare, Hill, Baynes.

York: Blaymire, Buchanan, Spurr, Potter, Fox, Paterson, Thorman, Sullivan, Liddell, Bates, Smith, Priestley, Buckley. Subs: Wray, Lingard, Ward, Stavely.

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield).

Attendance: 1,608.

Star Man: Gary Broadbent.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk