THE curtains closed on York Knights’ first Betfred Super League victory with 35-16 victory over rivals Bradford Bulls.
Almost a year on from winning the Betfred Championship League Leaders’ Shield, York’s first ever season in the Super League came to a close with a dominant win over bottom side Bradford.
The defeat for their visiting Bulls means it’s the West Yorkshire side that receive the dreaded Wooden Spoon in the Super League, whilst the Knights majored with back-to-back wins.
With Castleford Tigers needing to beat Huddersfield Giants by at least 124 points to dislodge York in that tenth position, it all but confirms that the Knights will finish four places above the bottom in an encouraging first year at the level.
York’s record in the 2026 season ends with nine wins and 18 defeats from their 27 fixtures, tallying 18 points and a points difference of -246.
Their final day win over Bradford also means that Mark Applegarth’s side have finished above established Super League sides in Hull FC, Huddersfield and an all but confirmed Castleford, despite the North Yorkshire club receiving half the funding of the previously mentioned clubs.
It was a fitting end to the season then when York powered to a comfortable win over Bradford, with tries coming from Scott Galeano, Ben Jones-Bishop, Toa Mata’afa, Jesse Dee, Xavier Va’a, David Nofoaluma – and a memorable moment for Paul Vaughan, who added two final points with a drop goal on his final appearance before retiring.
Bradford had taken the lead after 17 minutes through Ryan Sutton, with Chris Atkin’s conversion pulling the Bulls ahead by six points.
The Knights drew level with Galeano breaking through to score, and Cody Hunter’s first of five conversions.
Jones-Bishop, on his 400th career appearance, slipped through a converted try, before Bradford levelled scores up again when Riley Dean pounced on a spilled ball by Sam Wood.
Mata’afa’s powerful drive through a Bradford gap meant York led going into the second-half, but they needed to get more points on the board to ensure comfort heading into the final stages.
Dee, Va’a and Nofoaluma scored unanswered tries to give the Knights that welcome breathing room, and despite a late try from Jayden Okunbor, it was too little too late before Vaughan fired over a final two points of the season for both York, and his career.
Head coach Applegarth will be delighted to end the season on a high, having also secured a win over Catalans Dragons the weekend prior.
He had said after that match that he intended to make as few changes as possible for the final day showdown at the LNER Community Stadium against Bradford, and stuck to his word with just one alteration in his starting 13.
Ata Hingano dropped to the bench and was replaced by Xavier Va’a, in a single swap from Applegarth’s side.
For Bradford, it’s no secret that injuries have disrupted their season, with as many as 14 players absent from the squad heading to the LNER Community Stadium.
Following a 32-22 win over Castleford last week, Kurt Haggerty named the same starting 13, with his only change on the bench seeing Esan Marsters replace Luke Hooley, who dropped to the 18th man role for youngster Alfie Leake.
Applegarth had said pre-match that he wanted to give the York crowd a deserved send off until 2027, and despite the final result, it wasn’t the start his team dreamed of.
With both squads exchanging early sets and defending well, the Knights went close as Connor Wynne made a crucial interception, with Jones-Bishop lurking ready to pounce.
The Knights were then reduced to 12 men when Galeano was sent to the sin bin for an infringement on Phoenix Steinwede.
The Bulls took advantage of the man advantage and struck first as Sutton powered his way through to open the scoring.
Atkin converted, to make it 6-0 within the opening 20 minutes.
York quickly fired back though, and drew the game level as Galeano, back on the pitch and with amendments to be made, skipped past an attempted challenge before diving over.
Hunter converted to draw the game up.
The Knights then found themselves ahead, with Jones-Bishop, on his 400th appearance, driving through to ground the ball.
Hunter again added the extras.
But the game kept swinging and Bradford were back on level terms when Atkin’s swirling kick was spilled by Wood, allowing Dean the simple task of dotting the ball down.
Atkin converted to make it 12-12.
The Knights had the last laugh in the first-half, and headed into the break ahead as Denive Balmforth offloaded for Hingano, who laid the ball into Mata’afa to charge through and score his second try of the season.
Hunter’s added extras made it 18-12 at the break.
In the second-half, York found themselves winning early penalties, and it was only a matter of time until they made the pressure count.
Shortly after Ebon curry had seen a try chalked off for obstruction, Dee beat Caleb Aekins to a loose ball and pounced to score.
Hunter’s conversion effort was hit wide, but York maintained a 10 point advantage.
York had to do some defending as Bradford desperately hunted a route back into the game, and after another try, this time from Aekins, was ruled out, the Knights added further breathing room.
A kick on the last from Hunter was dropped into the path of Va’a, who barged through to score.
Hunter coolly converted once again.
Applegarth’s side were soon celebrating again as another Bradford error allowed Nofoaluma to add his name to the scoresheet.
Hunter added the extras.
Bradford saved some late grace with a consolation try from Okunbor, which went unconverted, but in a bittersweet moment it was the Knights who ended the evening on a high.
After over 300 appearances in rugby league, 103 of which have come in the English game, Vaughan closed the curtains on his decorated career with a final drop goal.
BRADFORD BULLS: Aekins, Okunbor, Russell, Blake, Wynne, Dean, Atkin, Sutton, Ackers, Scurr, Gardiner, Steinwede, Mellor
INTERCHANGES: Gill, Peposhi, Ruan, Marsters
Tries: Sutton (17), Dean (33), Okunbor (75)
Goals: Atkin 2/3
YORK KNIGHTS: Mata'afa, Jones-Bishop, Galeano, Wood, Nofoaluma, Hunter, Harris, Thompson, McShane, Vaughan, Dee, Field, Va’a
INTERCHANGES: Balmforth, Hingano, Martin, Foster
Tries: Galeano (24), Jones-Bishop (28), Mata’afa (38), Dee (51), Va’a (65), Nofoaluma (67)
Goals: Hunter 5/6, Vaughan 1/1
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