Northern Rail Cup victory is platform for Knights to prosper (From York Press)

Northern Rail Cup victory is platform for Knights to prosper

9:06am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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Assistant coach Mick Ramsden reckons York City Knights have already set themselves a benchmark for the remainder of the season.

The Knights shocked Championship big guns Leigh 13-12 in a thrilling finale to their Northern Rail Cup opener at Huntington Stadium on Sunday.

And while Ramsden has already stressed there was still plenty of improvement in his side – clearly not getting carried away after just one game – he says that the result, and the hard-working manner in which it was gained, sets a good platform on which to build.

He said: “We were underdogs on Sunday but we’re trying to set our standards, and to go up against one of the better teams in the division above and win sets a good benchmark for us.

“We’re claiming we’re going to be one of the best sides in our division (Championship One) so why not take on one of the best from the division above?

“We did well on Sunday but we know we’ve got to take it forward now.”

The victory means the Knights can head into tomorrow night’s friendly against Leeds Rhinos in good heart.

They know they can use the game to tweak a few tactics and give other players a chance to impress.

The fact the pack played a starring role in the win also means reigning Player of the Year Mark Applegarth, who is set to feature tomorrow after being omitted on Sunday, knows he faces an even bigger task to win back his first-team berth.

“Our pack in particular were outstanding – what an effort from them,” said former York legend Ramsden, who has to be a good judge having made a name for himself as a workaholic second-row.

“Leigh had a pretty strong pack really, even if they were missing a couple of players, and, although some of our players were out on their feet at times, they kept going at it.”

Loose-forward Richard Blakeway was named The Press’ man of the match, and Ramsden had no contention with that choice after watching the club’s new skipper work his proverbial socks off before finally getting a deserved breather.

He said: “There were times when I had a look at Rich to check he was okay.

“I was quite reluctant to take him off the field but it got towards the end of the game and I thought I had to. I didn’t want to do so, though, because he was excellent and he gives us really good leadership.”

Much-travelled former Knights player Loz Wildbore, who quickly became a fans’ favourite at York after joining the club towards the end of last season, is the shock inclusion in new club South Wales Scorpions’ squad.

The Championship One outfit, who are not involved in the Northern Rail Cup having been formed at the last minute, announced their squad for 2010 yesterday, the bulk of which is made up of local players.

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