Hornsea kept their Yorkshire 4 survival hopes alive, if only be a thread, by comprehensively beating bottom side Knaresborough by 45 points to nil.

The elements which had already put paid to the pitch side accommodation arrangements had threatened to become a leveller in a game that the Hollismen were convinced they could win. To a degree this was the case with some erratic lineout throwing and a number of handling errors on both sides.

Hornsea had decided to select a team that ensured that could produce ball from the set piece and lineout that would set the talented backs free. The mix of mobile and “more experienced” forwards seemed to produce exactly what was needed. Despite some early issues in the scrum, due mainly to the opposition’s hookers constant foot up, Hornsea were very comfortable in the set piece all day.

Lineouts were somewhat of a lottery due to the conditions, that said both sides managed to retain a lot of their own ball, with Hornsea managing, through Phil Walker, to take some useful ball from the North Yorkshire outfit.

For once Hornsea had the luxury of 5 on the bench and the ability to rotate was useful, particularly in the front row and helped keep the opposition moving around the park.

The tries all came from man of the match Jack Foster who scored six and was awarded a penalty try as a result of a very high tackle. Some of the scores were through some good set piece and teamwork and some through individual brilliance, either way all were taken and finished very well.

The Hornsea backs did not have it all their own way and some stout defensive work was needed to keep the visitors from crossing the line.
In short whereas 45 nil probably flatters Hornsea and does Knaresborough some injustice, this was not a classic due in the main to the conditions and some positional challenges but the guys did exactly what was asked and produced both a win and a by the sort of margin required. Scores elsewhere ensured that Hornsea remain second from bottom but survival remains to a degree in Hornsea’s own hands.

Hornsea Chairman Nick O’Mahony said “We asked for a win and got the win, things elsewhere have not gone our way but if we can take a strong team and get win or a bonus point or two at Skipton next week, then survival is possible. We have once again left it late but life in this league is not kind to us due mainly to away availability. We will this week regroup and travel to Skipton intending to survive”.