DANNY WASHBROOK was delighted that York City Knights were able to silence the “has-beens” criticism received by Newcastle Thunder in their 29-16 victory in the North East.

York ran out as comfortable winners over Newcastle and avenged the 28-26 defeat they suffered at the LNER Community Stadium.

Washbrook, who is one of several veterans in James Ford’s side, remembers the jeers the Knights were on the end of that day and said it was important to produce a performance on the field in response.

“They got one over us this season already so we wanted to make it one-all and prove that we are a good team," he said.

“Their fans gave it to us last time and they gave it to us a little bit again, saying we’re all has-beens and we’re not wanted by anybody.

“We heard a few rumours about their coach having similar things to say as well about a few of us, (saying) we’re a bit old and we’re past it.

“We wanted to show them that we’ve still got a bit of energy left in the legs.”

The former Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity star turns 36 later this month and was one of the older players on the field at Newcastle in a youthful York side which featured six players aged 21 or younger.

Former Heworth juniors Myles Harrison and Toby Warren both made their Betfred Championship debuts at Kingston Park, with the former catching the eye of the opposition at full-back, Washbrook revealed.

“I thought that Myles was rock solid at the back,” he said.

“I even heard their half-back at one point say, ‘How does he keep catching these bombs?’

“I think that they were probably expecting him to fumble a few but he played really well.

“He’s a smart lad is Myles and he has come a long way in the last two years. When I first came down to the club, he was very raw.

“But he has listened to everything that Fordy, Marshy (Matty Marsh) and some of the other players have said and he’s taken it on board.

“Toby is a really strong boy as well and I thought that he showed that during the game.”