York City Knights secure 26-24 victory at London Broncos

While the final scoreline may suggest a tightly-contested 80 minutes, in reality, York always looked like they would run out as winners after taking the lead on six minutes.

A dominant first-half performance left them two scores ahead while second-half efforts from Chris Clarkson and James Glover always kept London at arm’s length.

Credit should be paid to the Broncos for the way in which they dug deep late on, scoring twice in the final eight minutes to tee up a nervy final few seconds for the visitors.

Equally, the Knights will have been frustrated that London even had a hope of a miraculous comeback, having been 16 points in front after an hour.

Putting aside the shaky finish, York have now recorded away Betfred Championship victories over Batley Bulldogs and London, ending long waits for league victories at the two clubs, the latter stretching back until 1994.

Arguably York’s toughest trip thus far this season comes with a visit to Whitehaven in the Betfred Challenge Cup next weekend but, on current evidence, there is a grittiness to this side that was so often missing on the road last year.

An almost fully-available York made just three changes from the side which knocked Newcastle out of the cup last time out.

As expected, youngsters AJ Towse and Brad Ward made way for Joe Brown and Will Oakes with teenager Toby Warren was kept in the forward pack, owing to Masi Matongo's knee issue.

In the early stages of that Newcastle tie, York were guilty of over-playing but an early shift left worked to perfection inside the first half a dozen minutes.

Some lovely hands down the left finished with Clarkson slipping in Oakes to cross in the corner.

From the touchline, Jamie Ellis converted his first of three goals from five attempts.

Even in the early minutes, it was clear that London were struggling to make any substantial metres against the stern York defence and almost every kick came from inside their own half and, making matters worse, casually into the grasp of Matty Marsh.

York were close to doubling their lead when an Ellis kick aimed for Liam Harris was cleared before Jacob Ogden was held up against his former club, despite some celebrations from his team-mates.

The away side’s tendency to overplay crept back in on a shift right, as Marsh put the ball into touch and saw London race upfield for the first time.

On the back of a penalty, Jordan Williams dived over as the field position told on the York line.

Sitiveni Moceidreke, London’s stand-out player, scored his first of four conversions from as many attempts.

Deservedly, York were soon back in front. A couple of handling errors in deep gave the Knights requisite good ball for Ronan Michael to spot a gap and drive over.

Ellis produced a try-saving ankle tap on Iliess Macani as London threatened on the break and in deep the hosts grubbed, only to see Clarkson race away with the ball.

The supporting Liam Harris took over on halfway and showed fantastic footwork to beat two covering defenders and cross for an 18-6 lead at the break.

York picked up from where they left off after the restart, adding to their advantage after just four minutes.

This time, close to the line, Harris supplied Clarkson with a short pass for the captain to crash over for a perfect second-half start.

Slowly but surely, at 22-6 down, London began to work their way back into the game. Another Macani break forced James Glover into some last-ditch defending while Rob Tuliatu was pushed over the try-line.

Eventually, the individual quality of Dean Parata shone through, the ex-Featherstone hooker scurrying through a gap to score.

Ill-discipline from London, who finished on the wrong side of the penalty count, saw them gift York a decisive fifth and final try.

Marsh’s short and delayed pass put Glover over down the right with 15 minutes left.

Even at three scores behind, London plugged away and grabbed two late tries to produce a more respectable scoreline.

First, Parata secured his brace from close range before Paul Ulberg crossed from a clever scrum set-piece.

The latter try arrived with only seconds left and a late error, deep in their own half, officially ended any hopes of a dramatic London comeback.

More nail-biting than they would have liked, deserving winners York were finally over the line.

London: Walker, Ulberg, Latu, Palumbo, Macani, Leyland, Moceidreke, Foster, Gahan, Tuliatu, Lovell, Curran, Parata.

Subs (all used): Bienek, Williams, Blakemore, Bourouh.

Tries: Williams (23’), Parata (60’, 72’), Ulberg (80’)

Goals: Moceidreke (4/4)

York: Marsh, Brown, Glover, Ogden, Oakes, Harris, Ellis, Teanby, Jubb, Michael, Clarkson, Kirmond, Thompson.

Subs (all used): Dixon, Stock, Brining, Warren.

Tries: Oakes (6’), Michael (26’), Harris (34’), Clarkson (44’), Glover (65’)

Goals: Ellis (3/5)

York’s player of the match: Chris Clarkson. The captain finished with a try and two assists to go alongside his strong all-round display.

Referee: Michael Smaill

Attendance: 903