YORK City Knights’ much changed line-up did what was asked of them to see the club safely through to the knockout stages of the Northern Rail Cup.

Caretaker-boss Chris Thorman’s men beat London Skolars 34-12 in group two to progress to the quarter-finals – the only Championship One club to do so, after Barrow’s win over Keighley meant Blackpool, who otherwise had a sniff, could not qualify from group one.

The only downside at a quiet Huntington Stadium was that a Knights record low crowd of 439 turned up to see it.

A paltry turnout wasn’t wholly unexpected given the fact the tie was nearing a reserve encounter given the line-ups both clubs fielded, and was in many respects a meaningless one for Skolars, who had nothing to play for and who could not field a full-strength team anyway due to work commitments in the capital and a few injuries.

Indeed, they made nine changes to the team that lost in the Challenge Cup at the weekend and ten to the one that lost at York in the Championship One opener the week before.

But it was, regardless, a fifth win in six outings for the Knights this season, a record which deserves more from the York population.

Their first chance came on the back of Joe McLocklan’s dart from dummy-half – something the Knights have wanted more of – and fine pass to Jonathan Schofield. However, his pass on the run was behind centre Steve Lewis and Tom Stancliffe fumbled when trying to tidy up.

Stancliffe was one of six players – along with fellow winger Tom Lineham, centre Matty Duckworth, second-row Kris Peacock, hooker Chris Williams, who started at loose-forward, and sub prop Mark Falkingham – making their seasonal bows, two of whom – Duckworth and Falkingham – were on debut.

None of them let the side down.

Scrum-half Schofield, forming a new half-back axis with Casey Bromilow in player-coach Thorman’s absence, made amends for his poor pass when he dummied and stepped inside his tackler to open the scoring.

Bromilow did likewise a quarter of an hour later, from Mark Applegarth’s offload.

Points-machine Lee Waterman, giving evidence he could be more-than-adequate cover for the rested Danny Ratcliffe at full-back, goaled both tries, going on to finish the match with another 14 points from a try and five conversions.

York were without the wrecking ball that is Waterman’s Hull-based mate Brett Waller, who was rested but still present to pick up his Press Player of the Month award for February from competition sponsors Northern at half-time.

But there were enough options on the bench to more than cover for him, four replacement forwards sharing the workload, including Applegarth and returning duo Carl Barrow – who showed excellent hands throughout – and Luke Hardbottle, while starting props Alex Benson and Jon Fallon both set out the stalls up front.

It was Applegarth who increased the lead before half-time, spinning out of a tackle like he does, then powering forward after realising there was a gap to the posts. Duckworth had been prominent in the build-up.

Fine tackles by Waterman and the covering Peacock maintained York’s 18-0 half-time after London hooker Joshua Welsh streaked through the defensive line, and within seconds Waterman appeared on the counter attack, supplying the scoring pass to Duckworth, a try which capped the young centre’s debut.

Barrow’s good stint was ruined by a touch judge who deemed he was late on a kicker – from the stands he looked committed as the player kicked – with young referee Tim Roby showing a yellow card after a brief consultation.

Skolars took advantage of the extra man as Rob Montgomerie barged through a hitherto tight defence, Jamie Boston goaling from in front of the sticks. And they came close again as Welsh was held up over the try-line.

However, a penalty relieved the pressure – to ironic cheers of the Pop Stand – and it was followed quickly by the try of the night and one of the best individual efforts of York’s season so far, by Aussie Bromilow, who showed footwork and footwork in equal measure.

That score, and a similarly superb finish from half-way by Waterman, lit up an otherwise routine second half in which both sides knew their fate, although London had the last word through Stephen Ball’s try and Boston’s goal.


Match facts

Knights: Waterman 8, Stancliffe 6, Lewis 6, Duckworth 6, Lineham 6, Bromilow 8, Schofield 6, Benson 7, McLocklan 7, Fallon 7, Ross 6, Peacock 6, Williams 6.

Subs (all used): Applegarth 6, Hardbottle 7, Barrow 7, Falkingham 6.

Tries: Schofield 11; Bromilow 25, 62; Applegarth 38; Duckworth 44; Waterman 74.

Conversions: Waterman 11, 25, 38, 44, 74.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: Barrow 55.

Sent off: None.


Skolars: Adebisi, Junor, May, Bloom, Obuchowski, Isles, Boston, D Williams, Welsh, T Williams, McLoughlin, Montgomerie, Ball.

Subs (all used): Small, Quinn, Carter, Thomas.

Tries: Montgomerie 58; Ball 78.

Conversions: Boston 58, 78.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.


Man of the match: Waterman – switched to full-back and was safe under the high ball, dangerous on the counter-attack, scored a fantastic try and generally continued his fine form.

Referee: Tim Roby (St Helens) – the youngster did okay, though not the Pop Stand’s favourite.

Penalty count: 5-10.

Weather watch: Chilly, but spring is on its way.

Half-time: 18-0.

Attendance: 439.

Moment of the match: Casey Bromilow’s second try. The Aussie jinked and sprinted into a gap in centre field, stepped the full-back at pace and then had the leg speed to outrun the cover.

Gaffe of the match: The stay away fans’ decision not to turn up and support their winning team.

Match Rating: A routine win after first half tries sent York on the way to victory.