YORK City Knights’ task against Coventry was possibly trickier than at first glance – but they made it look easy as they blew the Bears away and bolstered their points-difference to boot with a 68-6 victory.

Second v third-bottom in Betfred League One terms usually suggests a straightforward home win.

However, the Knights were coming into the game off the back of that fatiguing win over leaders Bradford Bulls. In similar circumstances 12 months ago, Ford’s team followed their memorable victory over champions-elect Toronto with a shoddy show in defeat at Keighley.

Last week’s result also put the Knights level on points with Bradford, and the need to boost points-difference in the battle for the title could affect mindsets - especially after the Bulls extended their advantage to 138 after winning 58-12 at London Skolars 24 hours earlier.

Moreover, Coventry arrived buoyed by a four-match winning run and, while this was a third game in eight days, the one on Wednesday was an easy home romp against whipping boys West Wales.

Getting victory secured was therefore more important than worrying about points-difference – but Ford’s men ultimately did both, with the poor Bears so outplayed they would have been lucky to end with nil, never mind the late consolation they did get.

The Knights missed a few sitters – Joe Porter and more so top-scorer Joe Batchelor guilty – and had a few more disallowed, and Connor Robinson wasn’t as efficient as usual from the kicking tee, finishing with eight conversions from 13.

They could easily have had another 20 points.

But they still won the game in the opening quarter, they were all over the visitors like a rash throughout, and they racked up that baker’s dozen in tries - Batchelor still ending with four of them.

Few fans would not have taken 68-6 before kick-off.

As expected, Ford, with Toronto after-effects in mind, rang the changes in the forwards, fielding almost a new pack.

In for debuts were big new Aussie signing Joel Edwards and the back-rower from Leeds Rhinos, Josh Jordan-Roberts.

Leeds loanee Jack Ormondroyd also made his home debut off the bench after his big bow at Bradford. All looked the part, JJR getting two tries and Ormondroyd one, and Edwards looking a class above. Bigger tests are to come of course.

Returning to the 17 were Ronan Dixon, Mike Kelly, Dan Hawksworth and hooker Will Jubb.

Skipper Tim Spears and Sam Scott, all with minor injuries, were rotated out, and hooker Harry Carter used as 18th man after a virus, while second-row Batchelor switched to centre with Jake Butler-Fleming rested. Hooker Andy Ellis was to be rested too but was a surprise inclusion.

Out, of course, were dual-reg duo Josh Johnson and Jordan Walne after their move from Hull KR to Leigh Centurions.

Dual-reg full-back Matty Marsh was also unavailable - with Matt Chilton, the deadline day signing from amateurs York Acorn, making an immediate debut at pro level, and not looking out of place.

Coventry were without veteran playmaker Paul Emanuelli, Liam Rice-Wilson debutising at half-back.

Ash Bateman was also back in the pack, but Tom Tsang otherwise made few changes to the side that hammered West Wales. Perhaps he should have done as they looked tired.

Jordon-Roberts opened the scoring five minutes into his debut, running a fine line onto a short ball.

The lead should have immediately doubled but Batchelor missed an open goal - a trademark move in centre-field saw Graeme Horne put Ben Cockayne through but Batchelor inexplicably put the scoring pass to ground.

It wasn’t long before the second try did come, Dixon crashing home to cap a fine display.

York had another effort ruled out for offside as Cockayne raced onto a Robinson kick, while Chilton’s good start was marred with a fumble close to his own line.

Nonetheless, following a penalty and a powerful run from Edwards, Horne crashed over.

The former Hull KR prop, amid a first stint of Super League quality, then breezed through a big hole and gave Robinson an easy finish, making it 22-0 after as many minutes - the game already won.

Of more concern to the Knights was Edwards’ exit after an awkward fall – although he returned in the second period.

Coventry could not get out of their own half and, following a penalty for a shoulder charge on Cockayne, York went for the jugular – and scored thanks to some individual brilliance from Ash Robson.

Smartly picking up a loose ball, Robson not only retained possession but weaved a way forward before giving Batchelor a chance he did not miss.

The scoring continued as a Cockayne kick was fumbled straight into Kelly’s path to goal.

Coventry, while struggling to complete sets, held out in the remaining seven minutes of the half, Robson being denied by a touch judge’s late flag as he touched down in the corner.

But the scoring resumed five minutes into the second half, with a bit of fortune.

Cockayne’s grubber didn’t go far but he had another dab and the ball ricocheted to Batchelor who had an easy pick-up-and-put-down in the corner.

Coventry continued their error-strewn display, full-back Jason Bass fumbling a kick.

But the Knights couldn't make them pay this time – Porter bouncing the ball down after blasting through. More points forfeited.

Ormondroyd, back on the field, also fumbled inches from the whitewash.

Nevertheless, the points soon began to flow again.

Brad Hey sprinted onto a Robinson grubber to touch it down just before the ball went dead; Batchelor scooted around the outside for his hat-trick; and Robson got on the end of another Robinson kick.

Then Bears winger Dante Morley-Samuels dropped a kick under pressure from Robson and Jordan-Roberts had another easy finish, before Batchelor dummied in for his fourth of the day and 18th of the season.

It should have been more when Robson beat Morley-Samuels under a kick and fed Porter, but his try was ruled out for offside.

It did become more with six minutes left as Porter’s fine offload put Ormondroyd home, but the one more try of the day came at the wrong end as Jason Bass went 80 metres after a Cockayne kick fell his way. Ben Stead converted.