York had to draw deep on their squad and their collective heart to come away with two vital points in a hard fought 14-14 draw that keeps their promotion hopes on track.

If this had been a horse race it would probably have been cancelled, there not being a definition of the going worse than heavy, which Rudding Lane certainly was.

With a growing injury list, including Westaby, Scholey, Simpson, Atkin, Shackleton and Robson, the importance of the squad at this level came into clear focus.

There were some new faces in the team with Paddy Hayes stepping in at loose head prop, a position he hasn’t played since colts and a big ask against a big Harrogate pack.

Oscar Bell came into the back row and George Davies controlling things at fly-half in a familiar looking line up in the three quarters.

Kyle Consterdine rotated in the front row from the bench with Jordan Layne and Andrezj “AJ”” Peplinski filling the final spot on the bench.

This fixture, with its added spice of the ‘local derby that hasn’t been played for many years’, has been prominent in peoples’ minds since York despatched Harrogate at Clifton Park earlier in the season.

The level of effort, sustained for 80 minutes, was matched by the vociferous and vocal support, most notably from the injured, all of whom had travelled to cheer their team mates on but also by the many York supporters lining the pitch.

York kicked off up the hill, Hessay choosing an unorthodox kick from his armoury, flat across the ground and creating the first mistake of the afternoon, a knock on.

No purchase in the scrums meant Harrogate could not impose their weight advantage in the set piece with the effect they had perhaps hoped for.

The surface was energy-sapping, sucking the players down into the depths, every step an effort; fitness levels would be important.

Harrogate camped in York’s 22m area for a considerable period of time after a long kick by Steene, but good defensive line speed gave Harrogate no room and no momentum.

York fought their way into the Harrogate half with strong ball carrying and good support. Securing a position on the Harrogate 5 m line, York caught cleanly at the line out and drove the maul towards the line only to be held up.

Harrogate broke the deadlock after 33 minutes. Turnover ball, ripped in the tackle, enabled Harrogate to release their backs who had numbers on the right. Well timed passing enabled Harrogate to cross under the posts for a converted try. 7-0.

Playing into injury time, York mounted another attack. Ashman found his feet and showed his speed to collect a kick forward, as the ball kicked through again towards the Harrogate line, Ferguson chasing, almost touched the ball down but was impeded off the ball by the Harrogate defender.

Mr Penfold had no hesitation in awarding the penalty try, 7-7. A timely score as the whistle went shortly after to end the half.

The second half kicked off in a similar fashion to the first. It was almost impossible to tell who was who, in the mud. Both sides taking the game to each other resulting in end-to-end rugby between the 10m lines that sapped the energy.

Six minutes in to the second half, Harrogate set up the driving maul and rumbled their way to the line. The try converted by a well taken kick, put Harrogate back into the lead 14 – 7.

York responded quickly taking the play into the Harrogate half, Davies received the ball on the 10m line.

Slipping the first tackle, he pushed forward cutting against the momentum of the defence, somehow maintaining his feet as all around slipped away. He made it to the posts carrying two defenders with him to score a superb individual try. Converted by Hessay, the game was all level again 14 – 14.

With time nearly up, Harrogate threatened down the right again that had York hearts racing. Scrambling defence kept them out.

York cleared to touch from the resultant scrum to bring on the final whistle, with the final score being 14-14.