Knights 13, Leigh Centurions 12 (From York Press)

Knights 13, Leigh Centurions 12

9:51am Monday 8th February 2010

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IF he could have written the script himself, he probably couldn’t have written it better.

Chris Thorman’s first competitive game for York City Knights and his first after being installed as caretaker-coach was won by a drop goal three minutes from time scored by... Chris Thorman.

And what a notable 13-12 win it was, too, over a Leigh side who play in the division above and who, under new boss Ian Millward, have designs on returning to Super League.

The Centurions had actually looked the likely – if undeserved – winners after crossing the whitewash twice, the second time with just five minutes to go, to claw their way back from 12-2 down and level the scores.

However, Jordan Ross’s thumping tackle caused the visitors to lose possession in their next set 20 yards from their own line.

York’s forwards then drove the ball towards the sticks and, when Paul Stamp flung it back to Thorman, the 29-year-old former England international clipped over the one-pointer.

It wasn’t the cleanest connection but it was straight and just about high enough to creep over the crossbar.

There were a few kittens being had even after that as Leigh threatened again, not least when keeping the ball alive for what seemed an eternity after the final hooter.

Players from both sides were splayed all over the field and gaps appeared everywhere. But the Knights at last forced a spillage and that was that, at the end of an exciting, at times end-to-end, and ultimately nail-biting Northern Rail Cup opener.

There was one disappointment, and that was the fact only 911 people turned up to see it – although if this is what the new season has in store, then surely the crowds will swell.

Thorman, one second-half fumble aside, had had a controlling influence throughout; had outplayed Leigh’s marquee signing, Robbie Paul – who, in truth, had a bit of a stinker – and had created both of York’s tries.

But it was anything but a one-man show, with hooker Joe McLocklan and loose-forward Richard Blakeway having massive inputs amid a pack effort which had a huge bearing on the outcome.

And while Thorman’s boot won the game on the scoreboard, it was a defensive effort across the board, not least on their own try-line, that secured the result.

Millward was missing a few front-rowers but otherwise fielded his strongest side, with number one hooker John Duffy back into the starting line-up and Dave McConnell dropping to the bench.

Millward afterwsrds bemoaned his side’s error count but that should not detract from the Knights’ efforts, especially after what seemed an ominous opening ten minutes in which a Mick Nanyn penalty had given Leigh the lead.

However, two relieving penalties took the hosts into opposition territory for the first time – and onto the scoreboard.

Unlike Leigh, York opted to run the second, and it paid off as Thorman made full use of a big gap and gave centre Mike Mitchell the scoring pass.

Mitchell’s winger, Danny Wilson, fluffed a chance to increase the lead, dropping a cut-out pass, though he gave glimpses of his pace as the half progressed, while at the other end Paul twice lost the ball as the Centurions threatened, firstly due to a fine tackle by Blakeway.

Paul was held inches short of the try-line after a trademark jink, before the Knights went close after a fine run from hooker McLocklan – Thorman winning a penalty, but not a penalty try, for being tackled without the ball as he sprinted up in support.

Handling errors in the red zone cost both teams, however, with York, for their part, trying to force scoring offloads.

That was until some really good work increased the lead.

Thorman’s cross-field chip was patted inside by Wilson to Mitchell. Defenders looked set to force him into touch but, with Wilson joining the maul, Mitchell somehow got the ball down before being bumped out of bounds.

Lee Waterman goaled his second conversion from wide out.

Excellent defence at the start of the second half, notably by Carl Barrow on his own line and also after a wonderful length-of-the-field Leigh attack, maintained the 12-2 lead.

There was some cut-and-thrust stuff from both sides but again handling errors aided good defence. York, again, tried to push the skills limit too far rather than show patience in possession.

Their defence was virtually faultless, however, until Leigh crossed the whitewash with 15 minutes to go. Duffy, hitherto quiet, made a break from acting-half and sent centre Dave Alstead home. Nanyn, though, usually a dead eye with the dead ball, missed the conversion.

York’s defence were tiring and were grateful for Leigh’s propensity to fumble the ball until a Duffy pass stuck and McConnell flew in, giving Leigh late ascendancy – only for Thorman to have the last word on that script of his.

• There was a minute’s silence before yesterday’s game in honour of former York player and club president Denzil Webster. As reported by The Press a fortnight ago, Webster recently died aged 75.

Match facts

Knights: Ratcliffe 7, Reittie 6, Mitchell 8, Waterman 7, Wilson 6, Thorman 8, Bromilow 7, Freer 7, McLocklan 8, Benson 8, Ross 7, Hill 8, Blakeway 8.

Subs (all used): Waller 8, Clough 7, Barrow 7, Stamp 8.

Tries: Mitchell 9, 35.

Conversions: Waterman 9, 35.

Penalties: None.

Drop goal: Thorman 77.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Leigh: Donlan, Maden, Alstead, Nanyn, Stanton, Hartley, Paul, Morrison, Duffy, Armitstead, Taylor, Goulden, Leulaui.

Subs (all used): Ridyard, McConnell, Meekin, Higson.

Tries: Alstead 65; McConnell 75.

Conversions: Nanyn 75.

Penalties: Nanyn 3.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Richard Blakeway – so much good work in all aspects of play and a real captain’s performance. Several players could have got the nod, though.

Referee: Dave Merrick (Castleford); Rating: he’s not York’s favourite referee but he wasn’t too bad.

Penalty count: 8-10.

Weather watch: overcast and chilly.

Half-time: 12-2.

Attendance: 911.

Moment of the match: It has to be Chris Thorman’s match-winning drop goal late on, which raised the roof as it just crept over the crossbar.

Gaffe of the match: Your side have just equalised and have a bit of a roll-on against a tiring defence. If you can get up the other end again, you might just win the game. However, Leigh lost the ball 20 yards from their own line – setting the field position for Thorman’s one-pointer.

Match rating: Too many handling errors from both sides meant it wasn’t a classic but it was still excellent, exciting and, at times, end-to-end fare with a nailbiting finale.

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