HEAD coach James Ford hailed his York City Knights side after watching them tear Coventry apart in a scintillating second-half show – and he gave them credit for the half-time team-talk too.

The Knights had seen their early 14-0 lead slashed to 14-12 by the interval, with the visitors in the ascendancy.

But Ford’s men came out for the second half on fire and ran riot with a stunning nine-try blitz for a 64-12 win which lifted them to eighth in Kingstone Press League One.

“We came out and were much-improved. I was really proud of the response,” he said, when asked what he had told them in the changing room.

“It’s more a discussion between us (the coaches) and the players, and they weren’t far away with the things they were saying.

“We just needed to focus on one or two things and we did that. The players need a pat on the back, certainly.

“In the second half we were excellent. We had a lot of energy in defence and we played some good expansive stuff and were clinical.

“If we can play like that for the full 80 minutes we will develop into some team.”

Stats show the Knights completed 20 out of 20 sets after the break – nine of them with tries.

Ford added: “We were on the money in that second half. We moved the ball around with purpose and our lines and execution were good.

“It shows how much skill stuff we do in training to play that kind of attacking rugby and come up with no errors.”

The game had looked in the balance after the Bears’ first-half fightback.

Ford said: “We should give Coventry a pat on the back. They were up against it in the first 15 minutes but then momentum changed.

“They threw some good shape at us and opened us up on both edges.

“We were in a commanding situation but momentum in games can turn and that’s what makes this game so exciting.

“We had to be a little more disciplined and tighter in possession and build pressure.”

Asked if it was the Knights’ best half of the season, he said: “It probably was, attacking-wise. But I like to value the other side of the game just as much – hard work, contacts, and things like that. We’re improving in that area.”

Ford saved some individual praise for hooker Harry Carter who, set to watch the game in the stands, was called into the 17 at “one minute to three” after Andy Ellis pulled a groin in the warm-up.

“I wanted him (Ellis) to play but he’s an experienced player and wasn’t quite right,” he explained.

“We withdrew him at one minute to three and Harry stepped out of the crowd – and what a cameo performance that was.

“He knew at about three minutes to three (that he might need to play). He had his boots in his car.

“He’s the kind of kid who would pull over and have a game in the park so he’s always likely to have his boots with him.”

The win was marred, however, by injury to local favourite Joe Porter, who was set to go to hospital for X-rays.

“We’re concerned. It’s a knock to the jaw and he could’ve fractured it,” said Ford.

“That will be a massive blow. He’s been great for us, a real favourite in the group. You always like players with that energy and never-say-die attitude.

“He’ll be back better than he was.”

Ford, meanwhile, had praise for threequarter Tommy Brierley who scored a try against his parent club after being loaned out to Coventry this week.

Asked about allowing him to turn out against his club-mates, Ford said: “I want him to play.

“He will mature into a good player. He’s a really strong ball carrier who can change a game.

“He was in our team at the start of the year but the form of other players changed that. But he needs to play and he’ll get better on the back of that.

“It was a risk as he wanted to have a stormer and show what we’re missing, and he scored a nice try.

“But we send players out on loan for a reason. I’m really pleased about his response so well done to him.”