YORK City Knights prevailed as 10-4 winners in a hard-fought battle played on a mud bath away to Batley Bulldogs.

The Knights took the lead through an early barge over from Ronan Michael and, in what was always likely to be a low-scoring affair, held tough in defence to take a slender 6-0 advantage to half time.

An unconverted Lucas Walshaw try saw Batley take the momentum, attacking down the slope, in the second half.

But James Ford’s side rallied hard to hang tough at the back and ensured they would take home the two points thanks to a late Will Oakes try.

The victory ends York’s long wait for a win at Batley, which stretched back nine matches to 2000.

And more significantly, it marks a significant triumph over a fellow play-off hopeful who placed fourth in the Betfred Championship last year and boasted early-season wins over Halifax Panthers and Newcastle Thunder.

It is of course only round three, but there were several positives shown, particularly in their willingness to dig in, for a new-look side who were again forced into fielding just one recognised half-back.

As expected, York again reverted to Matty Marsh and Jamie Ellis in the halves, with Brendan O’Hagan rested amid his full return from injury.

Teenager Myles Harrison - who was not born the last time York won here at Mount Pleasant, returned at full-back.

From the off, it was clear that endurance and will would be greater contributing factors to victory than finesse or skill. The rain poured down consistently and the surface soon descended into a mud bath.

York did have the advantage of attacking down the slope in the first half and they made it count inside the opening few minutes.

Ellis, the Knights’ sole out-and-out half, produced a sublime 40/20 kick early in the set past full-back Luke Hooley down the left and put the visitors in striking range.

As would have been expected given the dour conditions, the resultant try was a barge-over and a great show of strength from Michael - his first score for the club after an off-season loan move from Huddersfield Giants.

The two points were added through Ellis’ reliable boot.

And the former Super League half-back continued to pose Batley problems as a high kick was dropped by a home defender.

Ellis was then held up before kicking too heavily and putting the ball over the goal line.

At the other end of the field, Ellis was also impressive in dropping on a grubber by Tom Gilmore on the back of a Batley penalty.

Midway through the half, the Bulldogs supporters were celebrating a potentially equalising try but it was ruled out by referee Scott Mikalauskas.

Batley threw the ball wide left and Dale Morton crossed by the flag, only to see a forward pass called.

Typically of the first half, York’s response was led by Ellis, who produced another 40/20 effort. This time however, Pauli Pauli was unable to profit as Michael had done earlier.

York managed to ensure that they would keep Batley out until half time, conjuring some more tough stuff in defence.

Will Oakes bravely fielded James Meadows’ in-goal grubber kick before escaping the interchange’s tackle.

Two late handling errors by Batley, both inside the York half, allowed York to take a 6-0 lead into the break.

The Knights started strongly in the second half and their bid to increase their lead was aided by a drop from ex-York winger Perry Whiteley from an Ellis bomb.

Marsh’s grubber won the visitors a drop out although Pauli lost the ball close to the line.

At this point, virtually every player was covered head to toe in mud and York’s will and character was further put to the test.

It held strong, even in the face of towering back-rower Lucas Walshaw, who the Knights held up on the last.

The home side then broke away down the left flank and only some last-ditch defending denied them.

Both sides were reduced to a dozen men as James Brown and Oakes were sin-binned for Batley and York respectively for their part in a tussle.

More tests were coming York’s way, conceding two quick-fire penalties to put themselves on the back foot.

Batley finally made the pressure tell and this time York were unable to stop Walshaw down the right side. Gilmore’s conversion went wide of the posts.

As the mud bath continued to plague the attacking play, not making errors would ultimately prove to be the key.

On the back of a Batley knock on, York ran left and Pauli showed his class to hand off for Oakes to cross down in the corner. Ellis was unable to convert from the touchline.

In the dying stages, York held on amid a couple more drops of the ball from Batley and they able to breath a huge sigh of relief as the final hooter sounded.

Batley: Hooley, Whiteley, Hodson, Senior, Morton, White, Gilmore, Gledhill, Kaye, Blagbrough, Buchanan, Walshaw, Brown.

Subs (all used): Leak, Ward, Lillycrop, Meadows.

Tries: Walshaw (64)

Goals: Gilmore (0/1)

Sin bin: Brown (60)

York: Harrison, Brown, Glover, Logan, Oakes, Marsh, Ellis, Matongo, Jubb, Michael, Clarkson, Kirmond, Thompson.

Subs (all used): Davis, Dixon, Teanby, Pauli.

Tries: Michael (7), Oakes (71)

Goals: Ellis (1/2)

Sin bin: Brown (60)

York’s star man: Will Oakes. Battled hard in defence and in his early carries. His late try ensured victory for the Knights.

Penalties/Six agains: 8-2

Goal line drop outs: 0-1