YORK Acorn ARLC boss Scott Rhodes admitted his side had “no answer” to York City Knights’ superior strength, skill and pace as the pro team comfortably won their Challenge Cup clash.

The Knights scored six tries in each half at Bootham Crescent in a 66-0 win to stroll into round four.

Rhodes was disappointed with his team’s display, believing the game should have been closer, but he was quick to praise his former club – as well as the fans who turned out in force for the game.

“I’m not too happy about the performance or the scoreline. In the first ten minutes we did okay but after that it was one-sided,” said Rhodes, a former Knights captain.

“We could not live with their strength or the pace of the game.

“We got our butts kicked.”

Acorn had the game’s first big chance and thereafter they had a few moments, but try as they might they could not breach the Knights’ defence.

“Against York you have to take every little chance you get. We couldn’t do it,” said Rhodes.

“Our skill level was poor, our kicking game was poor, which is not usual for us.

“York were very good. Big Ed Smith was absolutely terrific, their half-backs straightened us up and their full-back joined in really well.

“We had no answer to them.

“I’ve no complaints about that – York were too good. They were very professional, very organised. My only complaints were with my players.”

Asked who was among Acorn’s men of the match, Rhodes said: “Our four front-rowers did pretty well and Tom Hill is always there or thereabouts - he keeps us going.

“We didn’t get much ball and that’s what we struggled with, and we gave too many penalties away.”

Acorn sold about 750 tickets for the game and, with more paying through the turnstiles, they helped to swell the attendance to almost 2,300.

Rhodes said: “I have to thank the supporters.

“It’s a big occasion when amateurs get through to play a pro team and they backed us all the way.

“I’d like to thank everyone who came down – it was absolutely fantastic.”