IT was far from the free-flowing try-fest of the season opener at London Skolars but York City Knights still made it two on-the-road wins from two under new boss James Ford, this time in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

York had put 124 points past South Wales Scorpions in two league games last year but they found them no pushovers this time on a heavy Parc Dyffryn Pennar pitch, the tie being in the balance until quick-fire tries by Kriss Brining and Pete Aspinall in the last 13 minutes – following a second-half try by debutant Kane Riley - sealed a 20-4 success.

The game could well have been very different had York not had three tries disallowed before the deadlock was broken, but, as it was, the decisive factor was the Knights’ defensive endeavours – making up for countless cheap and unnecessary turnovers, especially in the second half.

Okay, the Scorpions are not the most dangerous opponents the Knights will face this year but such a spirited rearguard effort should not be underestimated given the off-field troubles which are undoubtedly affecting morale throughout the club.

Talking of which, here’s hoping for a good away draw in round four on Tuesday night at one of the Championship giants to bring some much-needed cash into the coffers laid bare by homelessness caused by the ongoing community stadium saga.

The Scorpions had a slightly inauspicious start to life at their new home in the rugby union heartland of Mountain Ash as kick off was delayed by 15 minutes so that new dead-ball lines could be painted, the original ones being too close to the barriers for health and safety’s liking.

The hold-up was the same for both clubs but the timing was less ideal for the Knights - six hours of getting stiff sat on a bus being followed by having a warm-up routine interrupted.

They nevertheless began the game on top, winger Nev Morrison having a try disallowed as Greg Minikin’s slipped pass was deemed forward.

Ed Smith also had a try - a fine finish - wiped off due to a knock-on in back play.

Ford’s team had been as expected, with Riley making his debut on the wing and 18-year-old Liam Richmond coming off the bench for a late cameo.

Jack Pickles also donned the shirt for the first time since last May, starting in the loose-forward berth but effectively playing as a third front-rower as is the modern way – and having a decent early stint and suffering cramp in the second half such was his effort.

Riley’s first involvement was to drop a kick 20 yards from his own line but his second made amends, tackling his man into touch.

His third was to have a try wiped out – and it would have been a cracker too.

Superb handling in centre-field had sent Jonny Presley away and he chipped a kick to the right where Riley gathered superbly one-handed, only for the touch judge to call play back for a forward pass.

The pressure finally told, though, as quick passes from Ed Smith and Jack Aldous put Presley between the sticks, James Haynes converting.

South Wales crossed the line in only their second excursion into York territory but hooker Connor Farrer was held up. Later in the half, Farrer had another go from dummy-half, as the hosts got a foothold in the game, but was stopped inches short.

York were increasingly guilty of forcing the pass, one ambitious offload from Harry Carter proving costly as the Scorpions counter-attacked.

A long looping pass by Paul Emmanueli tempted Presley out of the defensive line but he didn’t get the interception and the hosts didn’t pass up the two-on-one situation, winger Paul Songhurst the scorer.

Both sides wasted openings early in the second half before York increased their lead.

They lost skipper James Haynes – one of the leading performers up to that point - but Riley switched to his favoured full-back slot and within seconds crossed the whitewash, the beneficiary of a superb delayed pass from Presley.

However, York continued to be their own worst enemies in turning possession over cheaply.

Time and again, though, excellent defence came to their rescue against a home side growing in confidence with every Knights mistake.

With only a converted try between the sides, the next touchdown looked increasingly crucial - and it was Kriss Brining who made it and scored it.

His sharp run from a scrum took his side close and, after Pickles kept the ball up there, Brining’s strength forced the ball down after he dug over the whitewash, Pat Smith goaling.

Two minutes later, smart hands, notably from Presley, created space down the right and Pete Aspinall sped in for his third try in two Knights games.

The Scorpions pressed late on and again went close but, fittingly, the hooter sounded as York’s defence again won the battle, forcing Songhurst into touch by the flag.


Match stats

South Wales: Newbury, Lewis, Edwards, Scrivens, Songhurst, Davies, Emanuelli, Phillips, Farrer, Evans, Connor, Hill, Dallimore.

Subs (all used): Giles, Tutt, Symons, Webb.

Tries: Songhurst 38.

Conversions: none.

Penalties: none.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Knights: Haynes 8, Riley 6, Minikin 6, Aspinall 6, Morrison 6, Presley 7, P Smith 6, Applegarth 8, Brining 8, Aldous 7, Cunningham 6, E Smith 8, Pickles 7.

Subs (all used): Carter 6, Tonks 7, Joynt 6, Richmond 6.

Tries: Presley 17; Riley 51; Brining 67; Aspinall 69.

Conversions: Haynes 17; P Smith 67.

Penalties: none.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Man of the match: Ed Smith – another authoritative performance in the second row in attack and defence.

Referee: Chris Campbell (Leigh) – couple of calls could have been questionable but he was generally good.

Penalty count: 8-4.

Half-time: 4-6.

Weather: wet and windy before kick off, but sun came out by half-time.

Attendance: 247.

Moment of the match: Pete Aspinall’s try was a cracker to seal victory, but Jonny Presley’s sleight of hand to create a huge gap for Kane Riley’s debut try was out of the top drawer.

Gaffe of the match: there were far too many handling errors for coach James Ford’s liking but the only one to be costly was Harry Carter’s forced pass which brought about the counter attack that led to the Scorpions’ only try.

Gamebreaker: with the hosts growing in confidence with every York error, it was feasibly anyone’s game until Kriss Brining’s try, which he made and scored himself, was quickly followed by Pete Aspinall’s score as the clock ticked towards the last ten minutes.

Match rating: heavy going at times before York’s better class – and team spirit in defence – finally held sway. The Knights will need to be better against Newcastle next week, though.