Knights steamroller toothless Lions

But York have now ended the much-discussed losing run and, more crucially, have key players in key positions fit and firing again.

None more so than at half-back where Matty Marsh returned, after he underwent his coronavirus protocols. He lined up in the halves alongside Mikey Lewis, taking the Knights to 11 different half-back pairings this year.

Marsh replaced Danny Washbrook who, like Ben Jones-Bishop, is in isolation.

Corey Johnson was preferred to Kriss Brining as the interchange hooker, Corey Hall made his York debut at centre and Jason Bass moved to full-back, with Kieran Dixon back on the wing.

And it was Kieran Dixon that teed up York’s near-perfect start to the game. The winger’s kick off was not cleanly taken by Owen Buckley and, from the resultant set, Lewis’ short ball put Chris Clarkson over the line.

Multiple Swinton errors allowed York over moments later. The visitors kicked out on the full and conceded penalty and a repeat set to leave the Knights camped on their line. The pressure duly told when Ronan Dixon barged over.

Kieran Dixon then scored his first of six conversions.

York’s third try of the opening 10 minutes was the best of the lot. After a classy show of hands to the left flank, Hall sprinted through a gap in the line and handed off for Kieran Dixon to touch down York very much remained the dominant side as the half reached its midpoint but they were guilty of trying too many extravagant high-risk plays, particularly given how easily they had earlier found the line.

Swinton fought their way back into the contest thereafter. Kieran Dixon lost the ball on a kick return and Ben Heyes then went over from Geronimo Doyle cut-out pass.

But their mounting and ill-discipline were proving costly. After two penalties and a six-again, all they could conjure was a simple drop by Green.

York took advantage when, on the back of a penalty, Danny. Kirmond latched onto Marsh’s short ball to shrug off the defenders on the line and crash over.

The home crowd were celebrating another score when Lewis went over Kieran Dixon slip pass only for the referee to rule it forward.

And the same pair combined seconds before the break, but once more the officials deemed it as forward.

After half-time, Swinton had the best of the game’s early chances but twice in good ball they cheaply gave away the possession - Luis Roberts and Paul Nash both dropping routine passes.

On 52 minutes, they finally managed to get a well-deserved try when Deane Meadows scrambled over the line after York conceded a penalty believed to be for dissent.

Things didn’t get much better when Jason Bass hobbled off injured shortly after. H The Knights responded well and in the pursuit of a three-score lead they created several chances, none of which they managed to take.

Tyme Dow-Nikau did not appear to hear the six-again call as he forced a play out wide, Marcus Stock dropped the ball as he charged for the posts and Lewis’ pass flew over Sam Scott, who seemed certain to score.

Just after the hour though, the Knights eventually bagged a crucial fifth try. Johnson made the break through the middle and, in typical style, Marsh was on hand to finish.

The joy of that try was somewhat hampered when Mikey Lewis hobbled off hurt afterwards, though the injury did not at first seem hugely serious.

With a dozen minutes left, Marsh completed his double with another top-quality finish. The former Hull KR star showed some fantastic footwork to step past Swinton defenders and to the line.

And, against the now visibly tiring Swinton defence, York quickly crossed twice more to add some more gloss to the scoreline.

Johnson streaked away down the left flank before the supporting Kieran Dixon just about kept his footing to score.

Then Marsh broke the Swinton line and sent Dow-Nikau racing away to the right corner.

At the final whistle, Knights fans were able to, at long last, celebrate a league win and a well-deserved one at that.

York: Bass, Whiteley, Hall, Dow-Nikau, K. Dixon, Marsh, Lewis, R. Dixon, Jubb, Teanby, Clarkson, Kirmond, Spears.

Subs (all used): Scott, Cuthbertson, Stock, Johnson.

Tries: Clarkson (2), R. Dixon (7), K. Dixon (10, 70), Kirmond (33), Marsh (61, 68), Dow-Nikau (73) Goals: K. Dixon (6/8) Swinton: Doyle, Buckley, Cox, Roberts, Heyes, Green, Hansen, Spencer, Waterworth, Michael, Hope, Gregson, Brogan.

Subs (all used): J. Brown, Jones, Meadows, Nash.

Tries: Heyes (23), Meadows (52) Goals: Hansen (1/2) York’s man of the match: Matty Marsh. Two quality tries from the half-back who made a big impact on his return.