IT doesn’t get much easier for York City Knights.

Last week they lost heavily to Barrow, who had applied for a Super League licence, and yesterday they crashed 76-12 at Widnes, who on Thursday were granted a place among the elite from next season.

There were a few headaches among fans and staff at the Vikings after the celebrations that night but there was no such hangover on the pitch – and York, for their part, never looked like being party-poopers on a ground where they have never won.

The Vikings had lost heavily at Leigh and embarrassingly to Hunslet in the last two weeks, so the few travelling fans went with some hope.

But four tries in 11 mad first-half minutes, augmented by an awfully one-sided second-half in which Widnes repeatedly cut through like a hot knife through margarine, sent the hosts on their way and left a hapless, at times gutless, the Knights second from bottom of the Championship after their heaviest-ever league defeat.

Furthermore, organiser-in-chief Chris Thorman was not seen in the second half due to a groin injury, leaving the Knights in even more disarray while the scoreboard became increasingly embarrassing.

York boss Dave Woods had made a few changes after Barrow, the most notable being a first appearance since February 20 of Championship One’s top points-scorer last season, Lee Waterman. Mark Barlow also replaced Paul Stamp, out due to concussion, at hooker.

There was a reshuffle of the pack, with Rhys Clarke – a back-rower rather than a prop – starting at loose-forward, later filling in at stand-off for Thorman, and Steve Lewis also getting a start. There was also a switch in the backs, with Castleford loanee Jordan Thompson – a disappointment so far at centre – moving to full-back and Tom Bush to the wing.

Waterman did well enough before going off with a head injury but few of Woods’ other changes paid off, especially defensively, where tackles were often missed, offloads were allowed and gaps big enough for buses appeared.

Furthermore – it doesn’t get much easier for the Knights – former St Helens youngster Dave Sutton, who should have been on the other wing, pulled out on the day with illness, meaning Waterman played on the flank.

This saw 18th man Kris Brining come onto the bench for his debut – becoming the youngest-ever Knight when he entered the fray. He did okay on a difficult day.

Widnes bombed a great early chance but quick play-the-balls and offloads were killing York, and the Vikings did not miss the next three – in the space of six minutes – as right-winger Paddy Flynn and left-centre Steve Tyrer (2) provided the finishes.

The Knights finally got a touch but dropped the ball in centre-field and full-back Danny Craven then finished another fine home attack.

Chaz I’Anson also had a try ruled out for offside and a couple more home chances went begging.

John Davies had gone closest for York, and it was the Cas second-row who set up York’s sole reply of the half.

His great angle and well-timed run took him close and, after Widnes were penalised for a high tackle on Duane Straugheir, Matt Barron got through from a flat pass.

However, on the restart, Clarke threw a daft pass and Bush failed to take it, gifting Tyrer his hat-trick try on the half-time hooter. Tyrer ended with 12 goals too for a personal haul of 36 points – second on Widnes’ all-time points-in-a-match record list.

Widnes’ director of rugby, Paul Cullen, expounded the benefits of producing home-grown talent during celebratory half-time addresses to the crowd, and the one bright spot in a dire second half for York was the appearance of scholarship graduate Brining as replacement hooker after 53 minutes.

By then, however, MacGraff Leuluai had extended Widnes’ lead with a try – which was followed by an almighty all-in brawl in back play.

Oddly, York skipper Alex Benson and Widnes loose-forward Simon Finnigan were the only players sin-binned, with no one sent off.

Video evidence may mean more players go before the Rugby Football League judiciary next week.

Vikings substitutes Richard Varkulis and Chris Lunt scored while it was 12-a-side and one-time Knights half-back Anthony Thackeray also crossed seconds after the teams were back to 13.

York finally replied as Flynn badly dropped a Jon Presley chip to the corner and Davies got reward for his gallant efforts, Barlow adding the extras in Waterman’s absence.

But the respite did not last long as Steve Pickersgill, twice, Finnigan and Thackeray all charged through to complete the runaway win.

And to compound York’s woes, Jack Stearman and Barron also suffered knee injuries.


Match facts

Widnes: Craven, Flynn, Ropati, Tyrer, Gaskell, Gerrard, I’Anson, Pickersgill, Coyle, Kavanagh, Allen, Leuluai, Finnigan.

Subs (all used): Varkulis, Thackeray, Lunt, Sculthorpe.

Tries: Flynn 15; Tyrer 18, 21, 40; Craven 26; Leuluai 46; Varkulis 51; Lunt 55; Thackeray 57, 78; Pickersgill 66, 70; Finnigan 75.

Conversions: Tyrer 18, 21, 26, 40, 46, 51, 55, 57, 66, 70, 75, 78.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: Finnigan 46.

Knights: Thompson 5, Waterman 7, Straugheir 7, Garside 6, Bush 6, Thorman 6, Presley 5, Massey 6, Barlow 5, Benson 5, Davies 8, Lewis 5, Clarke 6.

Subs (all used): Barron 6, Stearman 5, Brining 6, Freer 5.

Tries: Barron 39; Davies 63.

Conversions: Waterman 39; Barlow 63.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: Benson 46.

Man of the match: John Davies – a clear stand-out performer for York, and not just by scoring one of York’s tries and setting up the other.

Referee: Craig Halloran (Batley) – okay.

Penalty count: 4-6.

Attendance: 4,087.

Half-time: 28-6.

Weather: rain largely held off.

Moment of the match: The second-half introduction of Kris Brining, the youngest-ever player for the Knights, aged 17 years and 148 days, was the only real bright spot for York.

Gaffe of the match: Just after York got on the scoreboard, Rhys Clarke and Tom Bush coughed up possession and gift Steve Tyrer a hat-trick try on the first-half hooter. There were also countless missed tackles.

Gamebreaker: If it wasn’t the four tries in 11 first-half minutes, it was the four in 11 minutes after half-time.

Match rating: party time for Widnes.