CHAMPIONS! Betfred League One: York City Knights 32 Whitehaven 14

Knights: Marsh 8, Robson 9, Batchelor 9, Hey 8, Chilton 9, Cockayne 9, C Robinson 9, Ronan Dixon 8, Ellis 9, Horne 9, Jordan-Roberts 8, Scott 9, Spears 9. Subs (all used): Carter 9, Edwards 9, Ormondroyd 7, Porter 9.

Tries: Chilton 34, 72; Scott 59; Edwards 63.

Conversions: C Robinson 63, 72 (2/4).

Penalties: C Robinson 16, 26, 40, 49, 56, 79 (6/6).

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Whitehaven: Abram, Burns, Mossop, Nandye, Green, Roper, Phillips, J Thompson, Howarth, Tilley, Aiye, Gillam, Forster. Subs (all used): Coward, Eaves, Holliday, D Thompson

Tries: Eaves 37; Burns 67.

Conversions: Abram 37, 67 (2/2).

Penalty: Abram 10 (1/1).

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Man of the match: Tim Spears – this was yet another captain’s effort from York City Knights’ captain marvel.

Referee: Jack Smith (Wigan) – former Afghanistan veteran and Super League referee who opted to step down from the top tier controlled the big game well.

Penalty count: 8-6

Half-time: 10-8

Weather: forecast was for rain but that didn’t materialise and the sun was even out for the Knights’ big day.

Attendance: 3,223

Moment of the match: the try that effectively sealed the title, giving Whitehaven no way back, came eight minutes from time. Ash Robson picked off Carl Forster’s attempted offload and made his way right to left, spotting that Haven were short on numbers there. He fed Connor Robinson who in turn sent Matt Chilton, the local lad, sprinting away to the corner to make it 28-14 with the kick to come, and send Bootham Crescent into raptures.

Gaffe of the match: who cares?

Gamebreaker: the Knights gradually pulled away and Joel Edwards’ 63rd-minute try put them three scores ahead. A quick riposte gave Haven some hope but they did not look like finding a way back, and Matt Chilton’s second try of the day sealed it.

Match rating: Champions! What else can be said? What a day. Brilliant stuff at a bouncing, buzzing, buoyant Bootham Crescent.