Bulldogs 36, Knights 12

Either way, the Knights' performance dropped down several notches seven days after the incredible Challenge Cup triumph at Featherstone and seven days before the big quarter-final at Huddersfield.

It picked up one or two after 50 minutes - hopefully in time for next week's game - but by then the Knights were 30-2 down and there was to be no miracle comeback this time as they lost 36-12.

It wasn't necessarily a lack of effort that cost the Knights, but there just wasn't the umph, the pazzazz - coach Richard Agar called it intensity - that had carried the Knights to that wonderful win last week and which needs to return if the team are to enjoy a successful season.

To some extent, that's understandable. Hitting the highs of last week or focusing completely on this match when the McAlpine Stadium is just around the corner was never going to be easy for what is ostensibly a group game in a competition which is not the Knights' number one priority this season.

And let's be realistic. While the euphoria of last week might have engendered high hopes, it must be remembered that Batley are a good National League One side and arguably the best team York will face all year barring Huddersfield next week.

On top of that, the Knights still have their injury problems and had to shuffle things round at late notice as Amateur Great Britain half-back Carl Hughes, who was expected to come in for his first game of the season, turned an ankle in training and was replaced on the bench by prop Yusuf Sozi, who had been set to rest a minor knock.

The defeat should therefore be kept in perspective.

However, the fact remains there were too many dropped balls and too much lacklustre defence, while Danny Brough's usually top-notch kicking game struggled to overcome the wind and have a concerted impact.

The Knights also missed the control usually brought by captain Lee Jackson, who was rested ahead of next Sunday and the upcoming five games in two weeks.

The first crucial mistake came from Darren Callaghan, who spilt the ball on the first tackle on his own ten-metre line, giving Batley the position from which to open the scoring against the run of play. A clever run from Adrian Flynn was followed by another from David Rourke, who crossed for kicking king Barry Eaton to goal.

Two Brough kicks forced drop-outs as the Knights tried to hit back immediately but Batley's defence proved to be stern and organised all game, while the attacks lacked that little something to break it down.

This was particularly crucial in the first half when York, despite forcing five double-deals, did not take full advantage of the wind, the famous Mount Pleasant slope or the territory gleaned.

Indeed, a Brough penalty to reduce the arrears was their only score before the break, by which time Batley, perhaps knowing a few things about contending with the incline, led 18-2 even without the elements.

A penalty for dissent saw them make it 8-2, while a penalty for fighting - young Knights winger Scott Walker and Danny Maun punched each other a few times - led to the hosts adding four more as good handling saw Flynn cross in the corner.

Maun and Flynn then changed roles in a carbon-copy try just before the break. The former scored it, while the latter had the brief punch-up, this one with Aaron Wood. Eaton - who formed a superb half-back partnership with ex-Widnes star Dean Lawford - somehow goaled from the touchline.

Two basic errors in their own half saw York start the second period in a similar vein, with Andy Spink and Shad Royston benefiting and Eaton goaling both to make it 30-2.

To their credit, though, the Knights' heads stayed high and they went on to win the last half-hour.

A clever reverse kick from Scott Rhodes forced a drop-out and on the next attack Simon Friend scored a superb individual try, blasting past two tackles and spinning to touch down, Brough goaling.

Another good surge by Friend saw Mark Stewart, in his first contribution after coming on, slip a fine short pass for fellow Aussie Aaron Wood to score his first try for the club.

Batley, though, killed off the mini-revival and had the last word as Flynn got his second try on a last-tackle power play, with Eaton converting to complete a good display by the hosts, bouncing back from their Challenge Cup disappointment against Whitehaven and completing an Arriva Trains Cup double over the Knights.

On a downside for the Bulldogs there weren't too many home fans there to see it. Indeed, the final hooter was instead met with chants of "York, York, York" as the large Knights faithful shelved their disappointment to win their off-field contest hands down.

Match facts:

Arriva Trains Cup group stage

Sunday, March 21, 2004

at Mount Pleasant

Bulldogs 36, Knights 12

Bulldogs: Sibson, Bramald, Royston, Maun, Flynn, Lawford, Eaton, Hill, Heptinstall, Rourke, Harrison, Spink, Toohey. Subs (all used): Horsley, Cartledge, Molyneux, Richardson.

Tries: Rourke 9; Flynn 29, 65; Maun 38; Spink 42; Royston 45.

Conversions: Eaton 9, 38, 42, 45, 65.

Penalties: Eaton 20.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Knights: Graham 6, Walker 6, Wood 6, Callaghan 7, Godfrey 6, Rhodes 7, Brough 6, Ben-jefield 6, Elston 6, Forsyth 6, Andrews 6, Seal 6, Friend 8. Subs (all used): Stewart 7, Burland 6, Sozi 6, Briggs 7.

Tries: Friend 53, Wood 57.

Conversions: Brough 53.

Penalties: Brough 14.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Man of the match:

Simon Friend - scored fine try and did his best to cajole his team-mates with another vigorous display.

HT: 18-2

Ref: Karl Kirkpatrick (Warrington).

Rating: A few debatable decisions - you don't become Super League Ref of the Year for nothing - but generally okay.

Penalty Count: 9-13

Game-breaker: Andy Spink's try just after half-time saw the Knights start the second period as they finished the first and killed any hope of a comeback.

Attendance: 829

Weather watch: chilly, nasty down-pitch wind and heavy showers.

Match rating: Everything on a comedown from last week's euphoria

Updated: 10:32 Monday, March 22, 2004