Betfred Championship: York City Knights 30 Swinton Lions 20
Knights: Marsh 8, Mazive 7, Bass 8, Salter 8, Rawsthorne 8, Cockayne 8, Robinson 7, Teanby 8, Jubb 8, Horne 8, Batchelor 7, Scott 8, Spears 8. Subs (all used): Brining 8, Dixon 7, Stock 7, Porter 7.
Tries: Spears 14; Marsh 33, 39; Scott 53; Horne 64.
Conversions: Robinson 14, 33, 39, 53 (4/4); Rawsthorne 64 (1/1).
Penalties: none.
Sent off: none.
Sin-binned: none.
Swinton: Hansen, Butt, Lloyd, Forsyth, Ashton, Smith, Thomas, Bennion, Waterworth, Jones, Wells, Shelford, Brickhill. Subs (all used): Ganson, Hall, Kenga, Aaronson.
Tries: Hansen 17; Smith 58; Forsyth 73; Waterworth 75.
Conversions: Smith 58, 75 (2/3); (Thomas 0/1).
Penalties: none.
Sent off: Smith (foul and abusive language after the final whistle).
Sin-binned: none.
Man of the match: Liam Salter – worked hard in defence, made metres in attack and looked quality throughout.
Referee: Billy Pearson (Wakefield) – allowed quite a few slow rucks and threw in a few questionable calls but not too bad.
Penalty count: 8-7
Half-time: 18-4
Weather: overcast but pleasant enough.
Attendance: 1,606
Moment of the match: To be fair, it came from Harry Smith - whom York boss James Ford had coached in the England Academy set-up in their series victory over the feted Australian Schoolboys in the winter. Swinton's dual-reg Wigan youngster chipped the defensive line, regathered and rounded home full-back Matty Marsh. Knights fans could applaud it given their side were comfortably ahead by then.
Gaffe of the match: Like in recent matches, the Knights were caught out again by restart kicks, ceding possession a couple of times.
Gamebreaker: York already looked relatively comfortable by the time Graeme Horne's try, making it 30-10 with 16 minutes left, pretty much assured victory, notwithstanding Swinton's late double.
Match rating: Superior physicality meant that, in a decent game which included moments of enterprising rugby by both sides, the Knights got their cracking Championship campaign back on track following the defeat to Sheffield a fortnight ago. Third in the table - who'd have thunk it!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel