Penrith’s first hurdle in their relegation dogfight at York was to avoid conceding early scores.
By and large they managed this although they did lose out 32-7 in the end.
They had an early scare when a chip and chase by the home backs was just thwarted in the 22 and they then conceded a penalty just before the ten minute mark to go behind but that was not a disaster.
Their forwards then went on to dominate the next 20 minutes and they were camped on the home line and won a series of penalties where they opted to scrummage.
On each occasion their efforts were frustrated as the York defence infringed and conceded another penalty, on the third occasion the referee saw fit to yellow card a defender and this time instead of opting for a scrum the penalty was tapped and Adam Howe was able power over the line from close range.
Rob Coward struck the conversion nicely and the visitors led 7-3.
The Cumbrians looked comfortable as long as they kept it tight and they continued to pressure the home defence and a win appeared to be on the cards although it was going to be far from pretty.
The game then took a turn when a hopeful punt up field by the home side was carried by the wind and got a favourable bounce down the hill and turned into a very useful 50/22.
The York line-out functioned well all afternoon and they won good possession and forced the score to retake the lead.
This needn’t have been more than a blip but almost immediately afterwards another hopeful punt up field was allowed to bounce when it should have been fielded.
It fell nicely into the chasing wingers arms and although he was brought to ground on the 22 a penalty was conceded and the ball kicked to the corner.
Good ball was again won at the ensuing line-out and a driving maul set up what resulted in a second try.
A 15-7 lead turned into a 20-7 advantage as Penrith conceded another try with the final play of the first half and they now had a mountain to climb in the second half.
They did start the second period on the offensive and spent time in the home 22. Howe managed to force his way over the line again but was held up and that was about as good as it got.
The longer the game went on the more time the visitors spent time deep in their own half and close to their own line.
The home side managed two more tries and it might have been more but chances went begging and Penrith just couldn’t get back on the front foot.
They now have a week off before they face Kendal at Winters Park in now, what is a derby and a relegation scrap.
They will have to play a lot better than this if they are to seriously challenge their local rivals but in front of their own supporters and, with a lot of pride at stake, it is not impossible.
