YORK City Knights got back to winning ways in the Betfred Championship when they defeated Widnes Vikings 35-14 at the DCBL Stadium.

Here are five things we learnt from the thrilling encounter.

1. Best performance of the season from Sam Scott

Making back-to-back league experiences for the first time in 2021, Scott delivered a brilliant performance in the second-row against Widnes.

The forward has been in and out of the York team this year, but he delivered by far his best showing of the year on Merseyside, opening the scoring when by crashing over early on.

And the back-rower produced an even better in the second half when he brilliantly offloaded for Danny Washbrook to score while being brought down in a three-man tackle.

"He’s done some things that I’ve asked him to do away from the field and he’s backed it up with a man-of-the-match performance", reflected Knights head coach James Ford.

2. Huge excitement surrounds youngster Mikey Lewis

It may feel like repetition to bemoan the absence of fans given the quality of rugby league on show through recent weeks.

But perhaps that sentiment was most keenly felt on 69 minutes at Widnes.

York full-back Lewis sped out of dummy half, raced past the markers, spotted opposite number Jack Owens out of position in the line, chipped the ball over the Vikings defence and burst through to ground on the chase.

It was a truly brilliant try and it is a shame that one can only imagine the reaction from the away support to that score.

Fortunately, Lewis and his audacious skills will be on show to fans when the Knights host Oldham on Sunday.

3. Knights' away record remains perfect

The assumption that behind-closed-doors matches would remove the traditional home advantage seems to have borne true for York.

From their nine matches, they have won five and lost four. All of their victories have come away from home and all of their defeats have come at home.

As fans return to grounds from this week, it remains to be seen whether the Knights can keep up their 100 per cent away record.

Next up on the road is Bradford Bulls, who possess a notoriously vocal support. That may tell us plenty about the effect of crowds to matters on the field.

4. Win at Widnes Vikings is a strong base to build from

In many respects it is telling that in response to a come-from-behind away win at a fellow play-off chaser York's post-match reaction insisted that improvements still needed to be made,

These comments were justified after a poor showing in the first half that contained far too many errors and allowed Widnes excessive chances.

After a similar first-half performance against Toulouse, York responded thereafter. Can they do so once again?

5. Widnes will be contenders this year

Widnes' performance was far better than their 11th-position reflected. They have been hit hard with injuries, particularly in the pack, which cost them dearly against York.

If they can get their squad fully fit, with stars like Danny Craven, Jack Owens and Matt Cook, they should battle for a top-six place.