York City Knights fall to 38-12 defeat at Whitehaven in Cup

Despite the wet and muddy field, Whitehaven produced had a near-perfect first-half performance, scoring five tries without reply to effectively end the match as a contest at its mid-point.

While the Knights mustered a better fight of it in the second half, the damage had already been done and Whitehaven were able to increase their unbeaten home run over York to 10 matches.

Ryedale-York’s victory here back in September 1992 remains the last win by any York club at the Recreation Ground.

Having ground out tough wins at Batley Bulldogs and London Broncos, this felt like a significant step backwards for York and reminiscent of last year’s capitulation.

How this 2021 squad, much changed since the previous visit here, responds from such a bruising beating will be telling to their chances of a Betfred Championship play-off finish.

The only positive to clutch onto was that this was a cup tie rather a league game of far greater importance.

Without excusing such a one-sided defeat, it should be pointed out that this was a York side containing two teenagers, Myles Harrison and Bradley Ward, and without Will Jubb, Danny Kirmond, Kriss Brining, Jamie Ellis and Pauli Pauli.

Harrison’s start promoted Matty Marsh to the halves, with Sam Davis the sole out-and-out hooker and Brendan O’Hagan returning as the interchange hooker.

The wet weather over the course of the weekend saw the pitch in a sorry, muddy state as the teams left the field after their warm-ups.

A dropped ball by Whitehaven from the kick-off pointed to just how challenging the conditions were for both sides.

It was the home side who went in front early on though, the score coming off the back of a penalty as Davis was penalised for a late hit, an offence which remains a hot topic in rugby league circles.

Restarting on halfway, Haven reached the York line and a fine cut-out pass by Geronimo Doyle put Andrew Bulman in at the corner.

Alex Bishop’s kick from the flank went well wide of the posts.

York’s cause was boosted, albeit not on the scoreboard, when the hosts’ hooker James Newton

was forced off injured with a knee problem.

The Knights began to force some pressure as Liam Harris picked out a couple of great short kicks, the latter winning a drop-out.

Winger Joe Brown though was unable to take a typically spiralling bomb under the sticks by Williams and the pressure was relieved.

Again, York were their own worst enemies as they conceded another penalty for offside, which ended in Tom Wilkinson being stopped short, before the Knights won a penalty of their own.

Harris was unable to find touch though and Whitehaven capitalised, Williams grubber-kicking forward and Connor Holliday touching down the loose ball.

This time, Bishop added the conversion, his first of five successful kicks.

James Glover was the next York man to produce an error, knocking on in his own half, before a six-again put Whitehaven firmly in striking range.

A Bishop short-ball sent Ryan King over the whitewash for the third time.

Eventually, after more than half an hour, York had a chance but a power-play ended abruptly as captain Chris Clarkson was too easily stopped short.

Whitehaven duly punished the Knights when, after back-to-back six-agains, King broke through a gap and the supporting Doyle went over.

Shortly before half time, Bulman celebrated a second try in the right corner but Karl Dixon’s pass was ruled forward.

As the hooter sounded, Williams kicked at the posts and the ball deflected into his path for a fifth try.

At the end of a punishing first 40 minutes, York returned to the sheds trailing 28-0 and, barring a minor miracle, already soundly beaten.

With the stern words of head coach James Ford likely ringing in their ears, York scored early in the second half.

A series of penalties and six-agains gave requisite position for O’Hagan to scamper over near the sticks, with Harris converting his first of two goals.

Shortly after, the Knights were dealt a blow when Porter left the field with an injured elbow.

To their credit, York evidently showed more fight and heart in the second half, particularly in defence.

In a remarkable sequence, Whitehaven won five straight sets, all practically on the York line, and the hosts only crossed in controversial circumstances.

King seemingly lost the ball in a line-break but referee James Vela was happy enough when Moor touched down in the left corner with a dozen minutes to go.

Whitehaven added some more points when Holliday completed his brace when stepped his way through from a delayed Williams pass.

Seconds before the hooter, York posted a consolation try when Jordan Thompson broke clear and the supporting Joe Brown dived over.

Whitehaven: Doyle, Moor, Dixon, Evans, Bulman, Bishop, Williams, Walker, Newton, Graham, King, Holliday, Wilkinson.

Subs (all used): Phillips, Aiye, Dawson, Bradley.

Tries: Bulman (6’), Holliday (24’, 77’), King (28’), Doyle (35’), Williams (40’), Moor (68’)

Goals: Bishop (5/7)

York: Harrison, Brown, Glover, Ogden, Ward, Harris, Marsh, Matongo, Davis, Teanby, Clarkson, Thompson, Michael.

Subs (all used): Dixon, Stock, Porter, O’Hagan.

Tries: O’Hagan (48’), Brown (80')

Goals: Harris (2/2)

York’s player of the match: Brendan O’Hagan. Showed some spark off the bench with a well-taken try and some decent kicks.

Referee: James Vela

Attendance: 798