JAMES FORD was a happy man after watching his York City Knights Under-20s reserves side win 48-10 at Oldham in their pre-season friendly.

A powerful performance by the youngsters was capped by tries by George Elliott (2), Greg Minikin (2), Luke Tomlinson, Tim Stubbs, Sam Roe, Ash Winstanley and James Morland. Twenty-one-year-old Elliott - one of only three overage players in a predominantly U19s side, along with Jack Iley, 22, and trialist Jack Pickles, himself only 20 - and Lennox Green added three goals apiece.

U20s coach Ford said: "I'm pretty proud of this young bunch of blokes. Their physicality was evident in every contact.

"We'll be looking to fix up and develop one or two areas but, for game one, it was a positive beginning."

The Knights kick off their U20s league campaign next Thursday at home to Salford City Reds (8pm).