"THERE'S no reason why we can't kick on from here."

That was the opinion of player-coach Paul March after his first-choice York City Knights line-up gave Super League side Wakefield a run for their money in the pre-season friendly at Huntington Stadium yesterday.

The Wildcats, fielding many first-teamers in their line-up, won 40-16, but the scoreline was flattered by four tries in the final quarter, and March reckoned his National League Two outfit competed excellently against their more illustrious visitors.

"I thought we played very well. We wanted to build on last week and I believe we did," said March, who had fielded a youthful side in last Sunday's opening friendly against a York Select XIII.

"In the first 40 minutes they had their strongest team out and we competed - we were the better team over the first half. The fitness levels of being full-time had an effect in the second half, but I thought we were very good."

March, named man of the match for his display at scrum-half, was one of four players, along with his brother David March, Mark Applegarth and Steve Lewis, who made their debuts against their former club. Eight more of the 19 on show made their debuts last week.

It was one of the established Huntington Stadium favourites, Dave Buckley, however, who ran March close for the man-of-the-match award.

The Aussie played in the front row rather than the second after new prop Danny Ekis withdrew late on due to a hamstring strain, and his display did not go unnoticed by his player-coach. Young full-back Danny Ratcliffe also stood out.

"Everyone played well. Bucko fought strongly, and Danny Ratcliffe - it was the first time the Knights crowd have seen him at full-back - handled it very well, but I could mention every player, " said March.

The Knights suffered an injury blow when sub prop Kyle Palmer was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder, though the extent of the damage was not yet known.

They were also unlucky to have tries ruled out, while two of Wakefield's scores were questionable.

March added: "The first half took a lot out of us, and the referee did not help as players got a bit frustrated, myself included.

"We got over the try line three times but the tries weren't given. If we'd had them, we'd have been back in the game and competing with a very good Super League side.

"There's no reason why we can't kick on from here."