Knights assistant-coach hails effort in battling Rovers defeat (From York Press)

York City Knights assistant-coach Mick Ramsden hails effort in battling Featherstone Rovers defeat

12:59pm Saturday 4th August 2012 in Sport

ASSISTANT-BOSS Mick Ramsden took plenty of positives from York City Knights ’ defeat to Featherstone last night.

Many fans feared a cricket score as the injury-hit Knights entertained a side wanting to hit back from their Northern Rail Cup final loss last week and increase their lead at the top of the Co-operative Championship.

But the struggling home team – featuring debutants Tim Stubbs and Gareth Poutney in an inexperienced, reshuffled side, the former becoming the club’s youngest-ever player – battled gamely, still pushing for consolation scores at the end, the final score being 40-12.

Ramsden said: “One of the encouraging things was the amount of effort the players put in.

“They got better as the game went on. There was a fair bit of team spirit, which is something maybe we haven’t showed a lot of in the last few weeks. We had a real good go for each other.”

As for 17-year-old prop Stubbs and threequarter Poutney, who both entered the fray as substitutes, Ramsden said: “The way things have gone over the last few weeks meant there’s been the opportunity to bring young players in, although maybe earlier than we would have liked.

“Tim Stubbs played maybe 20 minutes and it’s great experience for a kid who’s not long turned 17.“He’s a big physical lad who’s not scared of anybody. He’s strong for 17 and I think it’s great he’s done that now. It will inspire him to keep
working hard and improve.

“Gareth has played in nearly every position for the reserves with the team struggling for players. He’s got a great attitude and deserves his chance as well. Those two were
definite positives from this game.

“They’re a breath of fresh air these young kids. They want to play and that’s great to see.”
Other positives included the
performance of Rhys Clarke out of position at half-back, having been thrust into the stand-off role due to the various injuries at the club. He capped his display with a second-half try.

Ramsden added: “We were quite inventive at times. We decided to attack and see what we got out of it. We caused them a few problems.”