Askam 6 York City Knights 64

Askam: K Tyson, Askew, M Tyson, Bolton, B Jackson, Satterthwaite, Wilson, Saunders, Dowsett, T Spedding, High, Hopkins, Wilkinson. Subs (all used): A Jackson, Butler, Kavanagh, B Spedding.

Tries: Wilkinson 42.

Conversions: K Tyson (1/1) 42.

Penalties: none.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Knights: Moss 8, Robson 7, Normington 7, Hey 8, Mazive 7, C Robinson 7, L Jackson 8, A Robinson 7, Ellis 8, Siddons 7, Batchelor 7, Kelly 6, Spears 7. Subs (all used): Carter 6, Hawksworth 6, Rory Dixon 6, Porter 7.

Tries: A Robinson 12; Siddons 17; Kelly 23; Batchelor 26; Moss 33; Mazive 35; Normington 55; Hey 60, 63, 75; Robson 72; Porter 80.

Conversions: C Robinson (8/12) 12, 17, 23, 26, 33, 35, 72, 75.

Penalties none.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Man of the match: Andy Ellis – the hooker used to be a favourite around these parts in his trophy-laden time at Barrow Raiders and his proven class was again clear throughout.

Referee: Brad Milligan (Workington) – missed a few high shots but tried to let the game flow.

Penalty count: 7-7

Half-time: 0-36

Weather: sunny but bitterly cold, with a wind chill blowing down the pitch making it even colder.

Attendance: 501

Moment of the match: the pick of the tries was arguably that scored by Joe Batchelor before the half-hour mark. There was a trademark weaving run from Harry Carter to set the platform, after which wonderful interchanges, good hands and good angles, between Batchelor, Connor Robinson and Brad Hey, with Judah Mazive a foil on the wing, suggested the team were enjoying themselves.

Gaffe of the match: York’s start to the second half was a bit sloppy, epitomised when neither Connor Robinson nor Judah Mazive put their name on a high kick and collided underneath it, the spillage setting the platform for Askam’s only try.

Gamebreaker: After Askam’s early first-half chance, the Knights took command and there never a hint of a shock once the visitors were a few tries ahead.

Match rating: a straightforward Challenge Cup victory was reward for a professional York show, with some decent rugby thrown in. There were one or two fouls but, barring the on-report challenge that crocked Harry Carter, no real niggle. The Askam community club rallied round to make it a good day for them too, despite the result. (NB It definitely finished 64-6, not 60-6 as reported elsewhere.)