The Knights crowned James Ford’s 200th game as Head Coach and Ronan Dixon’s 100th York match with a 24-18 victory at Kingston Park over Newcastle Thunder to move fifth in the Betfred Championship ahead of Sunday’s matches.
With Chris Clarkson returning to action after missing last weekend’s win over Sheffield, winger Brad Ward dropping out. That meant fellow wideman Joe Brown returned to the flank with Bailey Antrobus moving out of the pack into the left centre role to accommodate our captain’s return.
Despite going into the game as the form team in comparison to lowly Newcastle, Thunder started stronger and, after Ata Hingano left play with an ankle injury, a neat play from Josh Woods and Craig Mullen released left winger Alex Donaghy. After drawing in full-back Matty Marsh, he opted to go himself and found his way over in the left corner. Woods’ missed conversion attempt gave the hosts a four-point advantage – one that would soon be eradicated by the Knights’ first score.
In the fourteenth minute, James Glover – impressive once again from his right centre berth – benefited from a quick play the ball from winger Brown. The former Sheffield man then took the ball from dummy-half and charged towards the line before finding his way to the four-pointer. Liam Harris converted and gave the Knights a two-point lead.
Five minutes later, though, saw Newcastle hit the front once again after Nathan Wilde hit a great line from a Woods pass. The half-back converted to steal the lead back Thunder’s way.
Newcastle were perhaps fortunate to keep their full compliment of players on the pitch after Brown was taken out in the air after soaring to claim a last-tackle kick. The winger landed awkwardly but was able to continue with the incident put on report by referee James Vella.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, the Knights hit the front for the second time after Dixon – on his milestone appearance – got his arm free in the tackle to offload to the supporting Marsh. In turn, he was able to find Brendan O’Hagan, giving the half-back the easiest of finishes. Harris knocked over the two and the score stayed at 12-10 in the Knights’ favour until the interval.
York extended the lead by a further four points approaching the fiftieth minute when Harris and Marsh linked up smartly to give Brown the easiest of finishes in the corner, a carbon copy of one of his efforts in the same fixture at Summer Bash. Harris’ failed conversion attempt gave the Knights a six-point lead but a penalty shortly afterwards added a further two to add daylight.
In the dying moments, hooker Tom Inman looked to finally seal the match after scoring his first Knights try from dummy-half – Harris converting – but Donaghy hit back with two minutes remaining to make it a nervy finish.
That said, Newcastle weren’t able to narrow the gap enough and the Knights sealed back-to-back wins to round off this year’s away regular season matches with a fourth victory of the year over Newcastle Thunder.
Newcastle Thunder Line-Up:
York City Knights Line-Up: Matty Marsh, Joe Brown, James Glover, Bailey Antrobus, AJ Towse, Brendan O’Hagan, Liam Harris, Jack Teanby, Will Jubb, Jordan Thompson, Danny Kirmond, Chris Clarkson, Ata Hingano.
Interchanges: Tom Inman, Ronan Dixon, Marcus Stock, Ronan Michael
Tries: James Glover, Brendan O’Hagan, Joe Brown, Tom Inman
Goals: Liam Harris (4/5)
Geoff Pryce Man of the Match, sponsored by Isaac Poad Brewing: James Glover – City Cruises
