York Acorn bounce back with battling win at Myton Warriors

After disappointing back-to-back away losses, the game in Hull represented a real possibility of a third straight reverse.

However, the visitors were the better side throughout and deserved the win – although poor game management and handling in the latter stages almost contrived to hand Myton the impetus to snatch victory.

Acorn's first handling error appeared after only five minutes when a mix up in their try line defence, following a high up-and-under, resulted in a try for scrum half Kris Walker. Half back partner Ash James added the conversion.

Gradually York got to grips with the handling side of their game and begun to dominate proceedings.

They were indebted to the physicality of their forward exchanges, in which debutant and man-of-the-match Jensen Okhovat was outstanding.

He received excellent support from substitute hooker Nick Speck who had the Myton defence back-pedalling with a series of dummy half runs.

In humid conditions and on a pitch where the grass was a little long for fast open rugby, Acorn were also thankful for the excellent tactical kicking game of stand off Anthony Chilton, which moved his side up the pitch regularly.

It was to be Chilton's cultured boot that brought them level on 18 minutes.

His kick into the corner brought yet another try for prolific winger Josh Parker before Chilton himself got on the scoreboard with an excellent touchline conversion to tie the scores up at 6-6.

Minutes later, Myton were back in front when Acorn were harshly penalised for a late tackle on the hosts' tactical kicker. Stand off Ash James put over the successful penalty to give the home side a narrow 8-6 advantage.

The visitors regained the lead on 32 minutes when some slick handling along their three quarters ended with impressive centre Martin Pedersen Scott putting winger Ryan Gallacher in for a try out wide. Chilton once again added a fine conversion to edge the York side into an 12-8 lead.

With half-time approaching, Acorn managed to gain a healthy looking lead.

A piece of Chilton magic saw him throw a dummy pass before his delayed actual pass sent loose forward Reece Rushworth racing through a gap and over for a try. Chilton added the extras again.

The second half saw both sides making errors as they became fatigued by the conditions.

Acorn should have wrapped the game up by the hour mark, but errors littered their game and allowed Myton to stay in touch on the scoreboard.

The home side eventually made Acorn pay when, on 66 minutes, they reduced the lead to 18-12 when they notched an unconverted try through James following excellent approach play by their best player, second rower Liam Welham.

Heroic goal line defence by Pedersen Scott prevented another Myton try, and Acorn were able to ride out the late fight-back to take a much needed win before their next game at home to Featherstone Lions.