St.Helens 40-16 York Knights: Match Report

York Knights put in a huge effort at St.Helens in the Betfred Super League, but were beaten 40-16 at the Brewdog Stadium.

Mark Applegarth was forced to make changes again to his side because of injury, and it showed with a slow start from them.

Three tries in seven minutes early in the first half put Saints well in control, only for a Jesse Dee double to get York back to within 6 points at the break.

The Knights remained in the game until just after the hour mark, when Saints got a break through, and scored four tries in the last 15 minutes for a flattering scoreline.

St.Helens looked to get on top quickly, and consistently pinned York back in their own half. It left the Knights having to kick from deep in their own half to get anywhere up field, with any errors allowing Saints good position.

It was this kind of situation that led to the first try, after York conceded a penalty in their own half. Alex Walmsley took Saints close, before Bill Leyland dived over from acting half. Jackson Hastings added the first of six goals.

Another penalty on the last of the set 10 metres out from the line led to St.Helens next try moments later. Hastings sent a looping pass over to Owen Dagnall who collected to go in at the corner.

The winger went over for a second try just three minutes later, again after a penalty allowed them to get momentum and swiftly get down field.

The speed of St.Helens was causing the injury hit Knights problems, and coupled with errors and penalties from York, the home side were very much in control. They almost had a fourth try of the half, only for Tristan Sailor to have an effort ruled out for a knock on.

However, York finished the half strongly, and took advantage when Kyle Feldt knocked on from a high bomb. Cody Hunter provided the pass for Jesse Dee to run a good line to score and Hunter added the goal.

Hunter and Dee combined again for another York try, when Dee followed up a kick through into space. Hunter couldn’t add the goal, but the Knights were back in it at the break.

The second half turned into an arm wrestle, with York looking much more composed.

It was just past the hour mark when the first try of the half came. A 40/20 kick from Sailor put Saints deep in the York half and Walmsley capitalised, crashing in under the posts. Hastings converted, and with a penalty for a ball steal, the home side had a 14 point lead.

When Jack Welsby shrugged off the defence to slide through for a try on his return from injury, Saints were firmly back in control.

Jake Davies picked up a loose ball in his own 20 metre area and went the length of the field before Nene Macdonald went in at the corner to add gloss to the scoreline for Saints.

York still weren’t done, and when Paul McShane launched a huge kick across field in the last play of the game, Scott Galeano collected for a converted try which was nothing less than the Knights’ efforts deserved.

St.Helens: Sailor, Feldt, Robertson, Macdonald, Dagnall, Lomax, Hastings, Walmsley, Leyland, Lees, Wright, Whitley, Klemmer

Subs: (all used) Welsby, Delaney, Stephens, Davies

18th Player: Humphries

Tries: Leyland (12), Dagnall (16, 19), Walmsley (62), Welsby (68), Davies (75), Macdonald (77)

Goals: Hastings (6/8)

York: Nofoaluma, Bennison, Buchanan, Harrison, Galeano, Hingano, Hunter, Martin, McShane, Vaughan, Foster, Dee, Cook

Subs: (all used) Balmforth, Va’a, Sangare, Littlewood

18th Player: N/A

Tries: Dee (29, 37), Galeano (80)

Goals: Hunter (2/3)

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