YORK missed out on a dream trip to Twickenham following an agonising 24-22 defeat at Droitwich in their RFU Intermediate Cup semi-

The Clifton Park side failed to convert a late penalty and also knocked on close to the Midlanders’ line during a nail-biting finish, as the hosts clung on to book their second trip to English rugby’s famous headquarters in as many years, having been beaten runners-up in the 2017 RFU Senior Vase final.

Joe Maud, Josh Parker and Liam Hessay all crossed the line for the visitors, while Jon Dawes kicked two conversions and a penalty during a contest that was as close as expected between the Yorkshire One leaders and a Droitwich team that head the Midlands Two (West) table.

York were at full-strength against the hosts, who had defeated Ludlow, Ledbury and Whitchurch to reach the competition’s last four.

And, within five minutes of the start, the visitors had forged in front.

Having controlled possession from kick-off, York won the first penalty of the game and kicked for touch, leading to a driving maul that saw flanker Maud score one metre in from the corner.

Dawes, who started the game at full back, went on to strike an excellent conversion.

In reply, Droitwich missed a penalty kick, but winger Brad Cook passed inside for fly- half Sean Walker to touch down after a long period of attacking possession.

But Edward Wormington missed the conversion and, after York retained possession for multiple phases, Dawes extended the away team’s advantage by kicking a penalty.

York’s back row of Parker, Maud and Shane Goulding were working hard, making tackles and committing to rucks, although Droitwich were awarded two consecutive penalties, the second of which produced a team warning for the Clifton Park outfit.

The Worcestershire side then spent the final five minutes before half-time within metres of the York try line and, while Chris Fox, Gareth Singleton, Goulding and Hessay were all strong and organised in defence, the pressure eventually counted as number eight Phil Horton got over the line to level the scores at the interval.

York started the second period by winning two penalties and, after the entire forward park got involved in a driving maul, Parker scored but the conversion was missed.

With the game still very even, Droitwich went on to win two of their own penalties and winger Singleton was yellow carded after the second one.

Following a short period of scrappy play, flanker Pete Knight scored beside the posts for the hosts and the subsequent Cook conversion gave Droitwich the lead for the first time in the match.

It was soon 24-15, as more pressure on the York line saw scrum-half Josh Skinner scramble over and Cook again converted.

That left the visitors needing two scores to overturn their deficit with 13 minutes remaining.

A resolute Droitwich kept a solid, organised defensive line and were determined not to commit any penalties.

For their part, York attacked with spirit but made a couple of errors and couldn’t make a breakthrough until a little bit of magic from experienced centre Chris Peace saw him beat his defender and feed Hessay, who was rewarded for intelligent supporting work with a try.

Dawes’ conversion was good, meaning York only needed three points to win, with four minutes remaining.

The away team did their utmost, receiving possession from the re-start, attacking and making their way up-field, but an injury-time penalty was missed by Dawes.

Another penalty was then awarded to York 40 metres out, but the ball was too muddy to get a good connection and the decision was made to kick for the corner instead.

The line-out was won giving York possession, but a knock-on ended the final hope of a day out at Twickenham, where Droitwich will now face Camberley on May 6.