Leeds Rhinos 46-14 York Knights: Match Report

York Knights lost their first ever game away from home in the Betfred Super League, going down 46-14 to Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley.

With Ata Hingano and Jesse Dee missing from the team which beat Hull KR last week, there were some changes to the York side, who faced a strong Leeds Rhinos line up.

Despite the scores being level for half an hour, three tries in seven minutes at the end of the first half opened up a 16 point lead for the Rhinos.

A further three tries in a seven minute second half spell meant Scott Galeano's try in the final moments of the game was just a consolation.

The opening stages of the game saw both sides testing each other out, with no real chances. However, Leeds started to build pressure and that eventually told when former York loanee, James McDonnell scored after picking up a Jake Connor pass. Connor converted.

At the other end, Ben Jones-Bishop went close before moments later, Paul Vaughan scored a try converted by Liam Harris to level the scores. Vaughan was instrumental in setting up the field position, releasing Nikau Williams to put them deep in Leeds territory.

The Rhinos were beginning to find their rhythm and look threatening in the Knights half, but York still stuck to the task and took the game to their opponents.

The deadlock finally broke when Maika Sivo scored on his debut, despite the attention of Ben Jones-Bishop.

This triggered a spell of dominance from Leeds. Just two minutes later Ryan Hall got the first of his two tries after a break from Brodie Croft opened up the pitch, before Chris Hankinson went over after the Knights defence had been stretched too far. Connor goaled and Leeds had a 16 point lead at the break.

The Rhinos started the second half quickly, and appeared to have extended their lead through Kallum Watkins, only to have the try ruled out for obstruction.

However, there was no mistake when Hall intercepted a Williams pass to race in for his second.

There was a glimmer of a fightback from York when Liam Harris broke clear and the supporting Jordan Thompson galloped in for a try on his 200th Super League career appearance. Harris couldn't add the conversion.

A further three tries in seven minutes put paid to any thoughts of a late comeback, as first Croft strolled in for a converted try, before Harry Newman and then Sivo followed as Leeds made York pay for errors.

York did get a reward for their continued effort just before the final hooter, when Thompson and McShane combined for Scott Galeano to score a consolation try.

Leeds: Miller, Sivo, Newman, Hankinson, Hall, Croft, Connor, Jenkins, Levi, Holroyd, Watkins, McDonnell, Smith

Subs: Mata'utia, O'Connor, Palasia, O'Neill

18th Player: Brown

Tries: McDonnell (11), Sivo (29, 67), Hall (30, 50), Hankinson (36), Croft (60), Newman (65)

Goals: Connor (7/8)

York: Mata'afa, Galeano, Buchanan, Wood, Jones-Bishop, Williams, Harris, Vaughan, McShane, Va'a, Field, Griffin, Thompson

Subs: Martin, Sangare, Balmforth, Vuniyayawa

18th Player: Sagaga

Tries: Vaughan (18), Thompson (56), Galeano (80)

Goals: Harris (1/3)

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