THIS was billed as a tough test, a derby match against old arch-rivals who also had promotion aspirations.

However, York City Knights blew old foes Hunslet away, winning 48-6 on a great day for the Minster city club made better by news Workington had won 24-18 at title favourites Bradford Bulls.

Those two results saw James Ford’s men go two points clear at the top of Betfred League One with four games to go.

Oh, and York have a superior points-difference now too.

Could the improbable therefore happen and York beat the mighty Bulls to the sole automatic promotion spot? Well, they have to get a result at third-placed Workington next time out in a fortnight, but the title is now in their hands.

York had built a 24-0 lead in the reverse fixture at Hunslet earlier in the season only for Gary Thornton’s men to storm back, the Knights having to hold on “by their fingernails”, according to Ford, to win that one 26-24.

This time after building a similar lead, there was no let-up, the Knights finishing with eight tries in all.

Ford, back on full match-day duty after his two-game touchline ban, duly improved his head-to-head record with Thornton, his predecessor at York, to four wins and one defeat.

That stat is overshadowed by the main one though – the current league table.

Ford made three changes to the 17 that walked over West Wales last week in that world record 130-0 away win.

The classy Matty Marsh, at full-back, and young bruiser Will Oakes, on the wing, were back on dual-reg from Hull KR – both scoring tries - and captain Tim Spears returned at loose-forward.

Matt Chilton, the crocked Judah Mazive and Dan Hawksworth made way.

For Hunslet, Danny Grimshaw was back from a lengthy injury to start in the centres and be one of six ex-Knights in the line-up, along with wingers Tommy Brierley and Dee Foggin-Johnston, hooker Jack Lee, and packmen Matty Nicholson and Duane Straugheir.

So many old faces on show added to the derby feel which was obvious in a feisty opening in which York went ahead after exactly 60 seconds.

Hunslet’s normally reliable full-back, Jimmy Watson, fumbled the kick-off that held up in the breeze and, following the scrum, Graeme Horne spun away from a tackle to plant the ball over the whitewash.

The superb Connor Robinson booted the first of his seven conversions – again including some crackers from out wide.

York winger Ash Robson dropped a difficult kick soon after, with early penalties also assisting the visitors.

However, when Watson looked sure to touch down from close range, half-back Robinson, displaying remarkable upper body strength, somehow held him upright. That could well have been a big moment in the game as, instead of being level, the Knights soon went 12-0 up – Robinson this time displaying his ability with ball in hand to slip a surprise pass to Josh Jordan-Roberts at the other end.

The second-row juggled it before grabbing hold, drawing men in and getting a wonderful offload out - Oakes on hand for a simple finish.

Two tries to the good, York opted to go for goal when handed a penalty after Hunslet sub Jack Walton failed to roll away and duly interfered with a play-the-ball. Robinson notched the two-pointer.

Walton, not long on, was soon back off – sin-binned after another two fouls in quick succession, either side of a warning from referee Liam Staveley.

While with an extra man, Harry Carter was held up over the try-line before the Knights further extended their lead with two quick-fire tries.

Firstly, Ben Cockayne kicked goalwards, the ball deflected into his line of vision and he won the race to touch it down.

Secondly, big Jack Ormondroyd, at first receiver in the red zone, altered his angle and crashed through, making it 26-0.

Hunslet had started full of fire but it had been met with more fire, plus a huge extinguisher.

York’s supporters were loving it. Hunslet’s initially noisy pocket of fans in the far corner of the Main Stand, conversely, had little to be noisy about.

When they thought they finally had something to cheer, as Grimshaw benefited from lucky bounces and unfortunate slips to score, the try was ruled out by a touch judge for offside at a kick in back play. How the home support laughed.

York extended their lead nine minutes into the second half thanks to Robson’s brilliant break in centre-field – the winger beating four men before sending Marsh sprinting home.

Hunslet finally had something to smile about on 52 minutes, on the back of a Joe Batchelor fumble and a penalty.

Brierley, who moments earlier had been cursing himself for dropping a kick, brushed off a weak Oakes tackle to score in the corner, Joe Sanderson’s touchline conversion going in off the far post.

Oakes struck straight back, though.

Marsh joined the line well and Brad Hey gave his winger chance to dive spectacularly into the corner, evading the covering Watson to bag his second try.

Then came arguably the pick of the scores.

Batchelor not long earlier had lost possession in a ruck. He made amends, after a quick turnover the other way, by storming down the right wing, brushing off Ryan Wright and Foggin-Johnston along the way, before giving the scoring pass to Robson on his outside.

Hunslet, meanwhile, had run out of ideas in attack, epitomised when Foggin-Johnston tried in vain to chip and chase.

It was further epitomised when the ball went to ground on the far side and Robinson went the full length of the pitch to the opposite corner.

Coach James Ford, so comfortable, went to the stands to give his young daughter a cuddle before returning to the touchline for the remaining few minutes.

As if a big derby win wasn't enough, news then filtered through from Odsal - and the joyous "We are top of the league" chants rang around.