JAMES CLARE hit the headlines with a superb four-try haul but it was arguably the return of team captain James Haynes that brought the most satisfaction as York City Knights returned to winning ways in League One.

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

This they did with a 50-10 win which would have been greater but for five missed conversions.

The Knights suffered the sizeable blow of losing Jordan Howden to what appeared a serious knee injury, but, conversely, the return at full-back of Haynes - and the way he instantly found form after 12 matches out - provided a huge fillip.

Turning defence into attack, safely taking high balls under pressure, joining the attacking line and pulling off one astonishing try-saving tackle - he immediately staked a claim to permanently taking back the berth that has been filled with aplomb by Ben Dent, the team’s leading points-scorer.

Haynes was taken off after an hour - as had been planned - but by that stage had done enough to earn the sponsors’ man-of-the-match award, even if he lost The Press’s accolade to Clare after the winger later took his try-tally to four.

Gloucestershire began feverishly and York had to wait eight minutes to get the ball in the visitors’ territory, and that only came courtesy of a penalty after Joe McClean, in possession, led with the elbow when running at Jonny Presley.

After a second penalty for a high tackle, Howden spotted space behind and kicked in-goal, where Lee Mapals fumbled and Howden touched down the loose ball.

Haynes, who took back goal-kicking duties from Dent and Howden, converted - though he ended with only three from seven before his exit.

Two penalties to the All Golds gave them more opportunities in the red zone but, like in the opening gambits, York’s well-structured defence was up to the task.

Another penalty had fans asking referee Jon Roberts to swallow his whistle. But then one for York brought ironic cheers - and led to York’s second try as Presley magic gave Jack Aldous an easy finish.

There was a blow for York, though, with Howden - who had led a defender a merry dance in back play - hobbling off as the conversion was kicked. The silver lining gave Ford a chance to have a look at the half-back combination of Presley and Pat Smith again, the latter switching from hooker.

Substitute Harry Carter had an immediate impact at acting-half, too, firing the ball down the short side where Smith’s brilliant cut-out pass had Clare streaking home from half-way.

Gloucester, perhaps better than the scoreline suggested, got on the mark on 29 minutes on the back of a Mapals run down the wing, substitute Callum Mulkeen finishing well.

Mulkeen had been one of three players dropped to the bench by coach Lee Greenwood, reportedly for turning up late to the afternoon team meeting. Alex Davidson and leading points-scorer Matt Bradley were the others, and, with ace goal-kicker Bradley benched till half-time, Lewis Reece missed the conversion.

York had not been fluent in the first half but crossed twice more late on.

After some enterprising attacking, Carter got over from dummy-half.

Then Clare swapped passes with Tyler Craig and sprinted home for a second long-range try.

The same combination got the scoreboard ticking in the second half – but only after Haynes had pulled off a wonderful try-saving tackle on Joel Thomas at the other end.

Craig made the touchdown as his half-break drew in defenders and he had the wherewithal to fire the ball out for Clare to complete his hat-trick.

From the next York attack, though, Gloucestershire scored, as Phil Cowburn controlled a Pat Smith kick with his foot, picked up and legged it 80 metres. Bradley converted.

Normal service soon resumed as Carter – who had replaced Kriss Brining in the 17 - scored a second trademark Brining try from dummy-half.

Missing the conversion was Haynes’ last act, an excellent evening’s work now done, but there was more to come from his team-mates, as the impressive Ed Smith gobbled up a half-chance.

Dent - taking back goal-kicking duties as well as the full-back role - hit a post with the conversion but was soon on the scoresheet as Smith turned creator, brilliantly beating three men and sending Dent to the posts from 40 metres for an easy goal.

Mark Applegarth had a try disallowed for offside before Clare got his fourth thanks to quick hands from the Smith brothers, Dent’s conversion bringing up the half-century.

 

MATCH FACTS

Knights: Haynes 9, Clare 9, Channing 8, Craig 7, B Dent 7, Presley 7, Howden 6, Applegarth 8, P Smith 5, Aldous 6, E Smith 8, Tonks 7, Learmonth 8. Subs (all used): Carter 8, Blagborough 8, Mallinder 7, Nicholson 7.

Tries: Howden 10; Aldous 22; Clare 24, 39, 50, 76; Carter 35, 56; E Smith 62; B Dent 64.

Conversions: Haynes 10, 22, 39; Dent 64, 76.

All Golds: Murphy, Mapals, Reece, Topham, Pywell, Fallon, Cowburn, Purslow, Parry, Thomas, O’Keefe, McClean, Whittel. Subs (all used): Bradley, Mulkeen, Davidson, Duffy.

Tries: Mulkeen 29; Cowburn 52.

Conversion: Bradley 52.

Man of the match: James Clare – the sponsors’ man of the match was James Haynes and the fit-again skipper was in line for The Press accolade, too, but his departure after an hour, coupled with Clare taking his try-tally up to four towards the end of another fine all-round performance, meant the popular dual-reg winger could not be overlooked. The downside of Clare’s form is that Castleford might want to recall him.

Referee: Jon Roberts (Leeds) – not too bad.

Penalty count: 10-8

Half-time: 26-4

Weather: pleasant until light rain came in the second half.

Attendance: 350 est

Moment of the match: Gloucestershire prop Joel Thomas streaked through a big hole in York’s defensive line and a try looked certain but full-back James Haynes flew across and hauled him down just short of the whitewash with a textbook tackle. It was arguably the highlight of the skipper’s superb return after 12 matches out.

Gaffe of the match: Apologies to Lee Mapals, but Gloucestershire’s ex-Knights winger’s blunder in-goal, failing to clear Jordan Howden’s kick, allowed Howden to touch down the loose ball and open the scoring against the run of play. Mapals, deceptively strong and ever-elusive, otherwise had a decent game.

Gamebreaker: Callum Mulkeen’s first-half try gave the All Golds hope but York’s two-try riposte before half-time through Harry Carter and James Clare to make it 26-4 gave the home team an unassailable lead.

Match rating: It was a harder victory for York than the 50-10 scoreline suggested and the platform for it was arguably laid in a big pack effort. The Knights were also better in the second half, even if the respective scorelines of 26-4 and 24-6 suggest otherwise.