Last-gasp heartache but South Wales claim fine bonus point

The South Wales Scorpions suffered last-gasp heartbreak at York but left the Huntington Stadium with their heads held firmly high. The fledgling club proved themselves to be challengers at Championship One level, losing by only a single point against the York City Knights - one of the division's strongest and most experienced outfits.

Though Scorpions fans were delighted with back-to-back victories, there was a general consensus amongst fans that the trip to York was a defining game.

Workington had, arguably, taken the Scorpions rather lightly and Doncaster are on a hapless run of form. York, by contrast, looked a hugely difficult test and the daunting four-hour trip was always going to be tough for the new and inexperienced South Walian club.

However, the Scorpions produced an excellent display in North Yorkshire and came within a single point of the York City Knights.

Chris Thorman's last-gasp drop kick sealed the points for the home side - but the Scorpions must take pride in this result and will enter next Sunday's home contest with the London Skolars as heavy favourites.

Unlike in previous matches, there were no Crusaders "loanees" in the starting XIII for the Scorpions and, though they will be gutted by the late heartbreak, should regard a bonus point as a fine achievement.

The away side broke the deadlock when Lewis Mills latched onto his own clever chip and Lloyd White converted.

The Scorpions would have been hoping to bag further points when Casey Bromilow was sin-binned for York, but it was the 12-man Knights who fought back and levelled proceedings when Joe McLocklan scored and Lee Waterman fired over the extras.

A workmanlike try from Brett Waller sent York ahead with Waterman's conversion making it 12-6 at the interval.

The Scorpions came out fighting after the interval and the home fans were silenced soon after the re-start as Gil Dudson charged onto a Lloyd White grubber kick to score. White's conversion made it 12 apiece.

The travelling fans were soon in ecstasy as Craig Richards charged down the wing to complete a fine attacking move. White's conversion made it 18-12, though the hosts soon levelled thanks to Danny Ratcliffe's try.

The contest was on a knife edge but it looked as though York would go on and grab the points when Casey Bromilow's close-range try was converted - but the Scorpions showed tremendous character to battle back with the impressive Steve Parry bagging a well-earned try.

There was to be heartbreak at the death, however. Thorman's well-taken one-pointer sent the majority of the 663 crowd home happy and denied the Scorpions a share of the spoils.

Anthony Seibold's men do bag a bonus point and should go into next weekend's contest full of belief.

Full Time - York City Knights 25-24 South Wales Scorpions
Attendance - 663