JAMES CLARE scored four tries as York City Knights returned to winning ways in style by thrashing Gloucestershire All Golds 50-10 at Elmpark Way.

After last week’s loss at leaders Oldham and with a clash against play-off rivals Newcastle coming up next week, it was crucial James Ford’s men picked up maximum points from the visit of an expansion club who lie in the bottom half of the table but have a propensity for big performances.

This they did with a ten-try display – five in each half - which would have made for a greater scoreline but for five missed conversions.

Dual-reg winger Clare scored two in each stanza, while hooker Harry Carter marked his return to the 17 with a brace.

Jack Aldous, Ed Smith and Ben Dent also crossed, all after Jordan Howden had opened the scoring only to hobble off midway through the first half with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Head coach Ford had made four changes to the side beaten by Oldham, and the return of team captain James Haynes proved the most notable as the full-back earned the sponsors’ man-of-the-match award before being taken off around the hour-mark - as had been planned as he regains fitness after his 12-match absence.

The result lifted the Knights back up to third in Kingstone Press League One ahead of tomorrow’s fixtures.

Said Ford: “It was important we got the points and it’s a healthy scoreline.

“We made a few changes to the team and we anticipated being perhaps a bit less fluid than normal but the players quickly got to grips with the changes and improved through the game.

“In the first half we probably lacked composure with the ball and possibly some direction in terms of finding our start points. But we said a few things at half-time and the players responded. I could not be more pleased with what they served up in the second half.”

Full report, pictures and reaction to follow.