"We weren't flattered by scoreline" - but Ford gives mixed review of York City Knights' win over Hunslet

The Knights saw off Betfred League One rivals Hunslet at Bootham Crescent, but 18 of their points came in a three-try salvo in the last four minutes.

It was a first win over pro opposition this year following defeats, albeit with respectable scorelines, to Super League side Hull KR and Championship big guns Featherstone. But Ford gave a mixed review to the display.

Said Ford: "It's obviously good to finish our pre-season fixtures with a win.

"I thought there were some good individual efforts and we looked comfortable. We defended our goalline well. Hunslet were okay with the ball and played with good shape. We handled it pretty comfortably, which was pleasing.

"But we're not overly pleased with the performance. It looked like we were going through the motions in parts, it had no speed and we lacked bite in contact, certainly in the first half.

"Hunslet have some good players and they will trouble teams this year. Giving penalties away on play four and five didn't help. It invited pressure, although our goalline defence was pleasing."

Ford had asked his team to practise "chasing a game" late on, even though they were leading 12-6.

He said: "We posted a number of points at the end, which shows if we need to chase a game we've got the ability to do that."

Asked if those late points made the scoreline unflattering for Hunslet, he said: "Not really.

"I don't think they made a line break and they scored only from a barge-over try. That was disappointing - George Flanagan (the scorer) is famous for that kind of try and we should have defended it.

"We made at least five breaks in the second half and on another day we take those chances."

He added: "It's another part of our progression, of being ready for Bradford Bulls on February 18 (first game of the League One season).

"We've not played particularly well and we've won comfortably."