Joe Batchelor scores a beauty as York City Knights see off stoic old foes Keighley Cougars

It was a curious game, with the Knights’ dominance in general play not reflected in the scoreline, James Ford’s men showing only glimpses of their attacking abilities in notching four tries without really getting going.

Yet that was more than enough against the depleted Cougars, who scored only twice, both times against the run of play, in a performance which lacked sparkle but not stoicism as they grimly stayed in the game without really threatening a smash and grab.

The victory was set up largely by York’s dominant pack, led by Graeme Horne’s all-round abilities and Colton Roche’s hard direct running. Not to mention Joe Batchelor's brilliant try.

How the team played behind that, though, was probably affected by the late withdrawals of dual-reg Hull KR stars Matty Marsh and Liam Salter, who had been key to how the Knights had looked to shape up, plus the early exit of full-back Ash Robson. Any criticism, therefore, can easily be mitigated.

With no Marsh, veteran winger Ben Cockayne continued at stand-off having done a fine job there in last week’s Challenge Cup win over Swinton.

He reverted to the wing midway through the first half, though, after a reshuffle caused by Robson’s departure through injury, with ex-Heworth playmaker Liam Jackson coming off the bench at in the halves.

That injury also meant Will Jubb had to play the full 80 minutes at hooker – which he did with notable energy and aplomb.

With no Salter, Jake Normington continued at centre, having likewise impressed against Swinton, and he capped his show with a try.

Also in the back line, Robson and Kieren Moss initially swapped full-back and wing – and both shone early on with wonderful runs out of defence that got the team on the front foot, Robson seemingly getting back to last season’s form before his premature exit.

The pack saw a debut for dual-reg prop Josh Johnson, while Adam Robinson and loanee Roche were both back in the 17.

Of the 17 that beat the Lions, hooker Andy Ellis, unavailable, and forwards Joe Porter, Rory Dixon and Dan Hawksworth were left out.

Keighley, missing a number of players, included ex-Knights Benn Hardcastle, Josh Tonks and Mike Emmett in their starting 13.

The first seven minutes were played almost exclusively in their half, former Hull KR prop Horne leading the way up top for York with a stint of Super League quality.

And the pressure quickly told as skipper Tim Spears blasted through close to the sticks.

Connor Robinson, whose goalkicking has improved markedly this year, added the first of his four-from-four conversions from all parts of the pitch.

York seemed to be enjoying themselves – but then a first penalty Keighley’s way saw the Cougars equalise against the run of play, 17 minutes in, and the game change a little. A delayed little pass saw Perry Whiteley finish well and Hardcastle convert well.

The visitors, lifted, got another chance from York’s first mistake, Robson spilling the ball in his own 20. This time, the Knights’ defence, like so often this season, was up to the task.

The hosts duly retook the lead on 26 minutes, Normington too big and strong from close range on the right.

The reshuffle when Robson departed also saw Normington and Brad Hey swap sides, and those alterations also perhaps affected York’s fluidity.

Indeed, while they stayed very much on top in general, it was only 12-6, and the Cougars, slowing play down at every opportunity, were hanging in there.

Ironically, however, the Knights’ terrible start to the second half worked in their favour as they extended their lead two minutes in.

Robinson’s kick-off went out on the full, the penalty handing the Cougars a platform for an attack.

However the kick at the end of the set bounced off legs, and Batchelor scooped it up and sprinted 90 metres to the other end, the second-row’s notable pace again on show as he kept the cover trailing in his wake.

That lead appeared to be extended when winger Judah Mazive leapt spectacularly into the right corner. The try, though, was ruled out, and it was unclear why.

It was similarly hard to tell why the Cougars had a try chalked off from a kick over on the opposite wing moments later.

However, after Robinson missed a 40-metre penalty, York soon did extend the gap.

Sam Scott was held up short but had dragged enough men around for hooker Jubb to have chance to dig over.

Keighley now were grimly holding on, placed on a team warning for persistent fouling.

But feeding on scraps they were, and when Hamish Barnes picked up a wild Spears pass near half-way, the centre sped away to reduce the gap, Hardcastle goaling.

Again lifted, Keighley eyed a way back into the game but Robinson eked up the lead with a 30-metre penalty for a foul on Jubb and the match thereafter tailed off, barring a thrilling last attack from the Knights which came to nothing.