POSITIVITY was the watchword before the visit of London Broncos, given the new ownership, new start and new hope at York City Knights.

However, there has to be pragmatism too and, in reality, there was no way this much-changed, quickly assembled League One team, three weeks ahead of their first competitive game, would be in a position to turn over a full-time Super League-hunting Championship side in a final proper hit-out before their season starts.

That question was put to head coach James Ford in the build-up: could a heavy result – and a defeat was expected by most – dampen that new-found optimism before the season even starts?

But, like in his playing days, he effected a neat sidestep, instead focusing on his team’s performance and on finding improvement, and that team, in the main, obliged.

Moreover, judging by the supporters’ reaction after the hooter, they too found the display more significant than the result - a 48-22 defeat - and there remained plenty of positivity.

The scoreline was closer than the 46-4 defeat to Featherstone in their opening friendly, and, whereas that game was over quickly after four Rovers tries inside 20 minutes, this one was more competitive, York’s pace was quicker and the tackling, in general, sharper.

And, unlike at Featherstone, York countered early pressure to open the scoring.

Harry Carter was taken out off the ball while chasing a grubber and, with the field position set, the half-backs delayed their passes expertly and Ed Smith marked his first home game as the new club captain with the team’s first Bootham Crescent try of the year. Harry Tyson-Wilson added the first of his three conversions.

Adam Robinson, he of the barrel chest, was an early influence too in the middle, in an excellent first run-out at his new club. His recent honeymoon seemingly hasn’t taken too much toll.

London replied quickly, though, and there were weaknesses in the tackling as hooker Andy Ackers scythed through.

Winger David Foggin-Johnston was then caught out for Broncos’ excellent second. He was sent for a cup of tea by opposite winger Kieran Dixon deep in London territory when the Broncos should have been hemmed in, and some super handling by Jay Pitts and William Barthau sent Ackers in for his second.

Foggin-Johnston soon made some amends with two crunching tackles by the flag to deny Dixon when London attacked the short side.

The penalties, nevertheless, were racking up against the hosts, much to the fans’ chagrin, and, while plenty of those decisions were 50-50 calls, discipline is something that will need to be tighter.

Still, when two went York’s way, Ford’s men took advantage: Tyson-Wilson’s pass was superb and Brad Hey got over well.

Those two players epitomised York’s improvement – young scrum-half Tyson-Wilson a more controlling influence than against Rovers and Hey much better in his preferred position in the back row.

London – who had lost hooker Ben Pointer inside five minutes, helped off after several minutes of on-field treatment following an accidental collision - were not looking like a top-end Championship side.

But they went 18-12 ahead just before the half thanks to their classy half-backs, William Barthau’s perfect kick sending Jarrod Sammut through.

Welsh full-back Elliott Kear increased the lead on the resumption, cutting inside a poor Tyson-Wilson tackle, and the defence was found wanting again as man-of-the-match Ackers got his hat-trick.

But York hit back with a cracking try.

Sub winger Tommy Brierley started it when superbly scything through on the left amid some broken play. Pat Smith saw the overload on the right and sent out a long looping ball, and fine hands from brother Ed helped to send Ben Dent over in the corner.

Broncos upped their lead as Ackers shot through for his fourth. Ash Robson had moved up from full-back into the defensive line but his tackle was found wanting and there was no-one else home.

He was helpless for the next try, as Matt Garside sent in fellow former Knight Ben Hellewell.

But York pressed again and, after Robinson drove close, hooker Carter jinked in from dummy-half. Shades of the departed Kriss Brining.

Great defence from Ed Smith and Adam Dent denied Vitale Rociqa as the clock ticked down but Rociqa did score in the next play, Sammut’s eighth conversion from eight completing the scoring.

Knights: Robson, Foggin-Johnston, Morrison, Haynes, B Dent, Sowerby, H Tyson-Wilson, Siddons, Carter, Robinson, E Smith, Hey, Spears. Subs (all used): P Smith, A Dent, Dixon, B Tyson-Wilson.

Tries: E Smith 9; Hey 31; B Dent 52; Carter 70. Goals: H Tyson-Wilson 3/4.

Broncos: Kear, Williams, Hellewell, Purtell, Dixon, Sammut, Barthau, Spencer, Pointer, Battye, Harrison, Pitts, Adebiyi. Subs (all used): Ackers, Garside, Ioane, Roqica.

Tries: Ackers 13, 16, 47, 57; Barthau 38; Kear 43; Hellewell 65; Rociqa 78. Sammut 8/8.

Attendance: 681.