YORK Knights' winning run came to an end despite a second-half fightback at Toulouse Olympique, as Mark Applegarth’s side suffered 30-22 defeat in the south of France.
York had won three on the bounce in the lead-up to their visit to Stade Ernest-Wallon, a place that holds fond memories for the Knights after a brilliant win there last season.
Recent victories over Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC had Applegarth’s side pulling in the right direction, but they missed out on the opportunity to leapfrog their hosts in the Betfred Super League table.
But Toulouse, who are now celebrating three wins on the bounce, benefitted from an impressive first-half display which led to a 28 point advantage by the break.
Applegarth had named one change to his starting 13, as Kieran Buchanan dropped out of the squad with Sam Wood taking his place.
Jesse Dee also returned to the squad after overcoming back-to-back head injuries, seeing Matty Foster drop to the 18th man at the expense of Will Dagger.
Penalties were a problem for York throughout the contest, with the Knights making far too many errors that Toulouse took full advantage of.
Jake Shorrocks had fired two points home early on, before he scored the opening try after seven minutes.
Luke Polselli grounded Ollie Ashall-Blott’s lay-off soon after, taking advantage of some questionable defending, and Ashall-Blott was then celebrating himself as he scored a third Toulouse try in 24 minutes.
Paul Ulberg then extended that lead, before one final try of the break came from Henry O’Kane.
It was a first-half performance that was unlike the recent version of the Knights, but they got back to what they did best when Oli Field got first points on the board early in the second 40.
Sam Wood then forced down a second try for York, and Nikau Williams reinforced the Knights’ belief when capping off a well-worked move.
Shorrocks added two more final points for Toulouse, before Tom Inman added his first Super League try with three minutes left on the clock.
It was too little too late and a game of two halves for the Knights, who will be left feeling frustrated after their encouraging run of form came to an end.
TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE: Ashall-Bott, Laguerre, Polsello, Quai-Ward, Ulberg, Lacans, Shorrocks, Roumanos, Marion, Butler, O’Kane, Jussaume, Cator
INTERCHANGES: Rodriguez, Chan, Toleafoa, Grossemy
TRIES: Shorrocks (8), Polselli (14), Ashall-Bott (25), Ulberg (28), O’Kane (35)
GOALS: Shorrocks 5/7
YORK KNIGHTS: Mata’afa, Bennison, Galeano, Williams, Nofoaluma, Hunter, McShane, Martin, Inman, Va’a, Wood, Field, Thompson
INTERCHANGES: Balmforth, Vaughan, Dee, Hingano
TRIES: Field (48), Wood (52), Williams (57), Inman (77)
GOALS: Bennison 3/4
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