Betfred League One: London Skolars 20 York City Knights 22

Skolars: Hall, Finigan, Nash, Juma, Yates, Meadows, Bishay, Martin, Thorman, M Greenhalgh, Mbaraga, Bryan, Chester. Subs (all used): Driver, Ross, Butler, J Williams.

Tries: Finigan 53; Meadows 67; Bishay 74

Conversions: Bishay 53, 67, 74 (3/3).

Penalty: Bishay 33.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: Juma 77.

Knights: Robson 6, Jackson 5, Butler-Fleming 7, Hey 6, Mazive 6, Cockayne 6, Robinson 6, A Robinson 6, Jubb 6, Hawksworth 6, Batchelor 6, Kelly 6, Spears 6. Subs (all used): Carter 7, Horne 6, Dixon 7, Porter 6.

Tries: Mazive 35; Robinson 40; Porter 48; Batchelor 62.

Conversions: Robinson 40, 48, 62 (3/4).

Penalties: none.

Drop goal: none.

Sent off: none.

Sin-binned: none.

Man of the match: there were no real standout performers but Jake Butler-Fleming, in his first full game back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, came up with two quality assists which ultimately proved crucial. He needed the 80 minutes under his belt, too, before next week’s big one at Bradford Bulls.

Referee: Nick Bennett (Dewsbury) – didn’t get many decisions wrong but the game was allowed to drag on.

Penalty count: 5-3

Half-time: 10-2

Weather: very warm again and muggy too.

Attendance: 300 approx

Moment of the match: Judah Mazive’s try. The finish was decent enough but it was all about the returning Jake Butler-Fleming, who took a high pass above his head and slipped the ball out of the back door to give the winger his chance. The try finally got the Knights on the scoreboard, and gave them the lead, five minutes before half-time.

Gaffe of the match: Liam Jackson, being utilised out of position on the wing, should have secured victory when receiving a two-on-one pass out wide in the last minute, but rather than diving low like most wingers would, he was nudged into touch in goal before getting the ball down. The bad miss gave the Skolars one last chance which, with a bit of luck and a misplaced kick, came to nothing.

Gamebreaker: the final hooter – the game had been a drag and there remained a danger the Knights would slip up until the hooter sounded and the Skolars, having fought back from 16-2 and 22-8 down to 22-20, rushed their final play, a do-or-die kick inside being too long and landing out of play.

Match rating: there’s the old saying if you look too far ahead, you lose sight of what you’re doing and stumble. With focus clearly on the title showdown with Bradford Bulls next week, the Knights nearly tripped up in a lumbering match which seemed to just drag on. They ultimately walked home with the points but London Skolars’ much-improved show came within two points of hitting the Knights’ championship hopes before the big one at Odsal.