York City Knights 30, Swinton Lions 22

But he had already passed his first test as boss as York won their Northern Rail Cup opener at Doncaster on Sunday, and he passed his second last night as they won his first home game at the helm, 30-22 in a ding-dong encounter against Swinton.

A win by 12 points or more in the rearranged clash would actually have put Thorman's men top of their group and they looked on course for the summit with three tries midway through the second half. But a win was again still pretty satisfactory.

Spirits among the home faithful – in a disappointing attendance, notwithstanding the rearrangement to a Thursday night and that Swinton brought few fans – were lifted early on by marvellous defence which repelled three consecutive sets in York’s own territory, all after Waine Pryce had given the ball away cheaply in midfield.

Cover, and organising, by Ben Hellewell and a fine tackle by Tom Bush, one of his rivals for the full-back spot, were to the fore.

Bush had started the game on the wing, one of a few changes made by Thorman.

The most notable was the inclusion of Paul King, the former Hull prop making his competitive debut after recovering from the broken rib suffered in pre-season.

He provided a few highlights in the second period.

Tommy Haughey also started in the second row, while centre George Elliott, the former Easingwold schoolboy recruited in the off-season from Leeds, came in as a substitute.

James Houston and Rhys Clarke dropped to the bench, while club captain Alex Benson and winger Dave Sutton were omitted.

Elliott’s introduction was earlier than expected and unfortunately due to injury to winger Pryce.

Swinton scrum-half Ian Watson, an otherwise creative influence, dropped the ball and it was picked up by opposite number Jordan Tansey, who made ground before handing on to the former Castleford and Hunslet flier.

He streaked away but 20 yards from home turned his troublesome ankle, bravely limping the rest of the way to get York on the scoreboard. Thorman goaled expertly from the sideline. Pryce played no further part.

Swinton had made numerous changes to the side pipped by Hunslet on Sunday. Among those omitted was Kevin Penny, amid a cloud of confusion over his apparent switch to rugby union outfit Sale FC.

The ambitious South Lancashire & Cheshire League leaders announced his recruitment on their website – along with that of one-time York target Ryan Clayton – but Swinton director of rugby Paul Kidd claimed before last night’s match there was no truth in his move.

The Lions, now in the Championship with York after promotion, gave as good as they got in the first half and their probing paid off when a clever Watson kicked bounced up for full-back Richie Hawkyard to finish.

Ian Mort, who broke the club’s points-in-a-season record last year, goaled.

Another good kick from Watson was then spilled by Elliott, and, following the scrum, Mort crossed in the corner.

York’s bad luck was compounded as Hellewell departed, seemingly with a head injury, although it meant Bush got his run at full-back – and he did well.

The Knights began the second half much quicker.

Tansey inexplicably dropped the ball to waste one attacking opportunity, but Swinton too were profligate in possession and the hosts benefited as Bush sent in Elliott to finish brilliantly by the flag. Thorman again goaled superbly.

The lead did not last long as Chaz I’Anson’s grubber was fumbled for Mike Morrison to score, Mort goaling.

But some brilliance by King, slipping a pass out, and the supporting Bush, scoring with aplomb, regained that lead.

Lee increased the advantage with a show-and-go and a crash over the line, and he made it a quick-fire double after more good work by Bush. Thorman goaled all three tries.

Mark Smith replied and there could have been a nervy ending when Tom Armstrong stormed through, but he was held up over the line by brilliant defence.

• Chris Green, who, along with Laurence Pearce, has signed on dual-registration with the Knights but has yet to come to Huntington Stadium, was named in parent club Hull’s provisional squad for their Super League match with Salford City Reds tonight.

Match facts

York City Knights 30, Swinton Lions 22

Knights: Hellewell 7, Pryce 6, Ford 7, Garside 7, Bush 7, Thorman 8, Tansey 6, Sullivan 6, Lee 7, King 7, Haughey 6, E Smith 6, Aldous 7. Subs (all used): Elliott 6, Houston 6, Clarke 6, Broughton 7.
Tries: Pryce 12; Elliott 45; Bush 55; Lee 63, 66.
Conversions: Thorman 12, 45, 55, 63, 66.
Penalties: None.
Drop goals: None.
Sin-binned: None.
Sent off: None.

Swinton: R Hawkyard, Hurst, Reay, Armstrong, Mort, Ainscough, Watson, Mills, M Smith, Morrison, Cunniffe, D Hawkyard, I'Anson. Subs (all used): Holland, Meekin, Ashall, Foxen.
Tries: R Hawkyard 25; Mort 35; Morrison 48; M Smith 70.
Conversions: Mort 25, 48, 70.
Penalties: None.
Drop goals: None.
Sin-binned: None.
Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Chris Thorman – decent with ball in hand and displayed an impeccable kicking game, not least with his conversions.

Referee: Matthew Thomason (Warrington) – not bad.

Penalty count: 6-4.

Attendance: 504.

Half-time: 6-10.

Weather: mild but overcast and windy.

Moment of the match: Paul King drew the tacklers then slipped the ball out for Tom Bush to score and put York 18-16 up.

Gaffe of the match: Jordan Tansey’s show and go – when he showed but didn’t go, and instead dropped the ball.

Gamebreaker: Jack Lee’s quick-fire double put York 14 points up with 14 minutes left.

Match rating: a good, hard game which could have gone either way.