IF ever a friendly augurs well for a forthcoming season, then this might have been it.

Okay, it's always wise to take pre-season results with a pinch of salt and, if truth be told, hardly any - if any - of last night's Leeds line-up will be starting the Super League season in the first team.

However, the Rhinos are not often beaten by six tries to one, even if it was a predominantly youthful team. And, as eight of those players have been granted first team squad numbers while the rest are among the cream of Britain's young crop, then the scoreline is not to be sniffed at.

Furthermore, a similar side had beaten the Knights' National League Two rivals Hunslet 40-10 earlier this month, and a points difference of almost 60 points cannot be wholly ignored.

There wasn't much between the sides in what was a scrappy first half - Knights led 4-0 at the interval - but Richard Agar's men cut loose in the second with four tries in 15 fabulous minutes around the hour mark.

But while the attacking play was an improvement on that which put 22 points past Hull KR earlier this month, the notable betterment was in the Knights' defence.

Agar had pinpointed a porousness against Rovers and whatever the players had done in training paid off as Leeds broke through only once, when the game was already decided.

Believe it or not, last night was the first time it had ever rained on the Knights at Huntington Stadium, and the greasy conditions - that fine rain that soaks you through to the bone - accounted for a few extra errors.

Nevertheless, the Knights' handling was at times top-notch - more so in the second half - and the running off the ball was full of vigour and verve. York also had the pick of the half-backs, with Scott Rhodes superb throughout while Danny Brough, whose kicking game was ordinary in the first half, came into his own after the break.

York started on fire. They caught their short kick-off and from that attack Damian Ball was held up over the line. Leeds then dropped the ball early in their first set and a cut-out play saw Danny Seal break through in only the third minute.

Chris Langley went close in the next attack and it was a good ten minutes before Leeds got into home territory. The Rhinos did then get into the game, but despite looking poised to score several times, came up against a brick wall.

At the other end, even though mistakes began to creep in, there was enough pace and verve to gee the crowd up if not break through.

York began the second half with renewed vigour and after ten minutes of defence domination, a crisp move was followed by a massive Brough bomb - by far his best kick of the night - which was spilled by Matt Gardner for Damien Reed to gather and score.

Five minutes later, a good interception by Ball saw York on the front foot again, with Rhodes cleverly putting Mark Cain into a gap for the substitute centre to finish with an overhead touchdown under the tackle.

Soon after, another up-and-under from Brough - this one even better than the last - dizzied the defender and Scott Walker came at pace to catch and touch down against his old team-mates.

Leeds came up not with answers but with errors and, when John Smith was then held up on their line, a massive overlap had been created down the left where Brough saw the excellent Langley stroll over.

At 26-0 going into the last ten minutes, Rhinos' fans began to depart - only to miss their try. A mistake had given Leeds their first set in York's half for some time, and Dwayne Barker benefited to barge over. Scott Murrell goaled.

Nevertheless, the final say deservedly went to York. Rhodes' grubber was fielded by a defender and as he tried to escape his own goal area, a wonderful tackle from Mark Stewart slammed him on his back and the ball popped up for Langley to gleefully score his second.

Brough ended the game fittingly with a fine touchline conversion, his fourth goal of the night.

It all leaves Agar with a bit of a poser ahead of next week's Arriva Trains Cup opener against Batley. The good thing, however, is that on this performance whoever he picks is unlikely to let him down.

Match facts:

Pre-season friendly

Friday, January 23, 2004

at Huntington Stadium

Knights: Graham, S Walker, Langley, Reed, Kama, Rhodes, Brough, Hayes, Jackson, Sozi, Callaghan, Ball, Seal. Subs (all used): Stewart, Elston, J Smith, Ramsden, Cain, Forsyth, Briggs.

Tries: Seal 3; Reed 50; Cain 55; Walker 60; Langley 65, 80.

Conversions: Brough 50, 60, 65, 80.

Penalties: None.

Rhinos: L Smith, Calderwood, Gardner, Watson, Philipson, Mur-rell, J Gallagher, Feather, Wainhouse, T Gallagher, Netherton, Golden, Barker. Subs (all used): Taylor, Sten-chion, Buttery, Johnson, Pratt, Ablett, Fox.

Tries: Barker 70.

Conversions: Murrell 70.

Penalties: None.

Man of the match: Scott Rhodes - busy and effective

Referee: Ronnie Laughton (Barnsley)

Rating: Not really noticed, which is probably good.

Penalty count: 4-7

HT: 4-0 Attendance: 2,735

Weather watch: Rain, drizzle and more rain.

Match rating: First half interesting, second half excellent.

Updated: 12:48 Saturday, January 24, 2004