YORK Lokomotive ARLC are hoping last weekend’s first defeat of term will give them a positive reality check.

The Lokos lost 30-20 to Knottingley in the RL Conference Yorkshire east division, paying the price for poor decision-making with the ball and soft one-on-one tackling.

But they expect to refocus ahead of Saturday’s trip to another unbeaten side, East Cutsyke Raiders, and retain top spot in the table.

Coach Paul McDermott said: “It’s easy to enjoy a win and believe you are better than you actually are, but winners will overcome a lax attitude and approach the next game with a different mentality.

“We now know the rest of the season will be just as competitive.”

McDermott reckoned his side ignored their main goal of the season – to finish with the best defensive record in the league – while their attack was made to look ordinary barring a couple of outstanding tries. They had started well with a try by Danny Spencer as Lokos got on top, but then Knottingley scored three quick tries in succession.

The Lokos fought back with a try under the posts by Mark Musgrave, Tom Storey goaling, but the visitors scored again after a high kick was spilled by Luke Campbell covering at full-back.

Campbell soon made amends with an excellent try in the corner but Knottingley began the second half with two quick tries.

Penalties and errors ensued, until a break by man-of-the-match Danny Buy, who took the game to the opposition throughout, set up Gary Watkinson to crash through three defenders and reach the line, the conversion added from way out.

However, Knottingley again replied after poor handling gifted them possession, and thereafter sloppy play prevented any chance of a comeback and left the Lokos coaches frustrated.

Campbell was twice bundled into touch by the flag amid some late Lokos pressure before a counter-attack saw Knottingley have the final say.

Lewis Heston Sharp should make a long-awaited return against Cutsyke after a series of bizarre injuries.

Selby Warriors will look to lift their second knockout trophy of a possible three this season when they meet Yorkshire League side Brotherton on Saturday in the Selby Cup final.

As reported by The Press, the Warriors missed out on the Pennine League division three crown when losing the title decider at Thornhill last week.

But a back-to-back promotion was previously assured, and they have already won the league’s Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy. They also meet New Earswick in the York and District Cup final on June 3.

This Saturday’s final is at Sherburn, when Selby’s second team also face Northallerton in the Selby Plate final (ko noon). The under-13s final between Selby and Sherburn Bears takes place between the two games.