York Knights secured a fourth successive win on the road in the Betfred Championship this evening after securing a 20-6 win at Newcastle Thunder.
Andrew Henderson’s side only led by a one score lead at the break after Will Jubb’s try after nine minutes.
The Thunder responded seven minutes into the second half with a try from Gideon Boafo, but fourteen unanswered points from the Knights, which included two Myles Harrison tries and a penalty from Liam Harris secured the win.
The Knight’s started strongly up in the North East as Jordan Thompson was wrapped up on the last tackle of a set after only three minutes as it looked like he was going to barge his way over to score, before forcing a goal line drop out on the repetitive set following Liam Harris’ grubber kick through.
York took the lead after only nine minutes through Jubb’s scoot over from dummy half to the right of the sticks. Harris was on hand to add the extras.
The Knights went close to doubling their lead with seven minutes to go before the break. Harris’ kick into the air was gathered by Jason Bass, who offloaded the ball inside to Oli Pratt, but the young centre was gathered up on the last tackle.
Newcastle struggled to get a foothold in what proved to be a very tight first half at Kingston Park. Connor Bailey went close with their only chance in front of the York defensive line in the opening forty, but he was held up on the last tackle by a body of strong York defence.
The hosts levelled seven minutes into the second half as Boafo danced his way through a handful of York defenders inside to score an outstanding try for Newcastle. Nikau Williams added the extras to level the scores at six a piece.
But the luck for the hosts didn’t last long as York produced a try of pure perfection to put themselves back in the lead. Pratt danced his way in side and as it looked like he was wrapped up by two Newcastle defenders, before offloading the ball inside to Harrison who went over to score.
Harris added the extras with the boot, before adding a 62nd minute penalty to take York into an eight point lead.
With seven minutes to go in the North East, York produced a great defensive set on their right edge to deny Mac Walsh from crashing over after making a surging run towards the line.
Victory was sealed for the Knights as the hooter sounded, Harrison latched onto the end of a sequence of fast passes from the visitors and he crashed over to the left of the sticks.
Harris once again added the extras, continuing his 100% record for the evening as York ran out 20-6 winners in the North East.
Newcastle Thunder: Donaghy, Johnson, Walsh, Walker, Boafo, Balmforth, Williams, Chapelhow, Davies, Moore, Clegg, Tuliatu, Bailey
Interchanges (all used): Simons, Lightowler, Walton, Clark
Tries: Boafo (46’)
Goals: Williams (1/1)
York Knights: Brown, Bass, Pratt, Clarkson, Towse, Dee, Harris, Jubb, Fitzsimmons, Field, Kirmond, Thompson
Interchanges (all used): Harrison, Pemberton, Warren, Michael
Tries: Jubb (9’), Harrison (52’, 80’)
Goals: Harris (4/4)
Referee: R.Cox
