HEAD coach James Ford said the "signs were promising" following York City Knights' final outing of pre-season.

The encounter at Clifton Park - an in-house affair between "Probables" and "Possibles" for the opening game of term at London Skolars in the League One Cup a week on Sunday - was marred by injury to Ryan Mallinder and Ben Dent.

But it saw a host of attacking intent, finishing 70-10 in favour of the Probables, as they ran in 13 tries, showcasing skills not seen in the two tough friendlies in January against Hull and Featherstone, which both ended in heavy defeats.

The match, hastily arranged after the planned friendly at Castleford was cancelled, saw every fit player in the club's entire playing roster get a run-out, barring assistant-coach Mark Applegarth, who took on a watching brief alongside Ford on the sidelines.

"I was really pleased with the display from both teams," said Ford.

"With Team 1, I was really happy with our discipline in how we ended sets, getting them in the corners and making it hard for them to start their sets.

"We looked skilful and moved the ball with purpose, and generally looked a threat across the field.

"We were also better defensively (than in the two previous friendlies) which is partly down to us training on a full-sized field for the last four weeks.

"There are things we need to do better, including probably decision-making at times, but that's going to happen. Fluidity and cohesion will grow.

"The signs are promising."

Mallinder suffered a hamstring strain and is expected to miss the first two games of the season.

Dent went to hospital for check-up after suffering concussion but it is hoped he will be in contention for the opener.

Ford, meanwhile, gave special praise to Pat Smith, the club captain, and half-back partner Jonny Presley, who was in his first outing of the year after injury and only his second since last June, having fallen out of favour with previous boss Gary Thornton.

"Jonny brings us composure and unselfish traits and follows instructions really positively, and Pat Smith is an out-and-out leader," said Ford.

"I thought last year they were our best half-back pairing by a million miles and in this game they've backed that up.

"Team 2 had a lot of talented players in there and I thought they were a fair team to play against."

Reserves boss Mick Ramsden, who took charge of the Possibles, said of his side: "Considering we haven't had a lot of time together as a team, the attitude and enthusiasm they showed was commendable."

He picked out half-back James Glover for his kicking game and props Jake Joynt and Jack Pickles for "working overtime" against more middle-men in Team 1.

He added: "We had periods when we were matching the stronger team and a lot of the players put themselves in the frame, and that's what it was about."