EVERYONE has an off day and Altrincham Kersal chose last Saturday's Intermediate Cup Third Round to put in a below-par performance.

It was difficult to believe this was the same team that overwhelmed Middlesborough in last week's league match and York pulled off a shock 3-0 win.

The visitors arrived at Stelfox Avenue pumped up with adrenaline and remained so throughout the game.

For all their efforts, they were unable to penetrate the Kersal defence and could only manage one penalty goal, from fly half Patterson, almost at the end of the first half - but this proved to be decisive.

Kersal created chances but their usual safe hands deserted them and the crucial pass either went to ground or was adjudged to be forward and they were unable to make the vital score.

The one positive to come out of the encounter was the performance of the Kersal lineout.

They took every ball, denying York any possession from the phase of play but did not seem able, on the day, to capitalize on that superiority.

The score tells the story of the contest, York never looked as if they were going to score a try and Altrincham Kersal were frustrated in their efforts.

They will be hoping for a vast improvement next week, when they travel to top-of-the-table Morley and then meet Chester in the semi final of the Cheshire Cup at New Brighton later in the month.