Warrington Wolves 30-10 York Knights: Match Report

York Knights lost 30-10 at Warrington Wolves in Betfred Super League, despite another big effort from Mark Applegarth’s side.

A competitive first half saw York twice take the lead through tries from Paul McShane and Jon Bennison and trailed by just eight points at the break.

However as Warrington increased pressure on the Knights in the second half, York were unable to register any more points, despite going close on more than one occasion.

It was an ideal start for the Knights, who scored after just two minutes. Sam Wood collected a high kick to release Bennison, who then popped the ball back inside to McShane for the opening try.

The Knights were dominating the opening stages, but a penalty to the Wolves and then a loose pass led to Warrington levelling the scores. Josh Thewlis picked up the ball from a bounce and weaved his way through from 10 metres out.

From there, Warrington started to gain some momentum, although York were still getting their share of field position through Wolves errors.

With such position, Cody Hunter put a kick through to the corner, and Bennison beat the defenders to collect on the line and touch down for a converted try.

The next try also came from a kick, this time at the other end of the field. George Williams, back for Warrington after injury, put the ball through, and Sam Stone just got it down before it went dead in goal. Irwin’s conversion put the Wolves back ahead.

Warrington stretched the lead with a piece of individual skill from Irwin, who sold a dummy 40 metres out and sped away to score. He missed the conversion but added a further two points with a penalty just before the break to give them an eight point lead.

Williams and Danny Walker were pulling the strings for the Wolves, but York worked hard to restrict them. However back to back penalties saw Walker spin from acting half to ground the ball for a converted try and make York’s task a little harder.

Irwin almost added a second moments later, picking up a loose ball to race 60 metres upfield, only for the video referee to rule it out for a knock on.

Warrington were punishing the Knights for their errors but with ball in hand, York were still able to cause problems particularly through Hunter, who looked like he’d taken an interception to race clear, only to be brought back for being offside.

With more pressure on the back of that decision, Lindop scored from a tap back from Albert Hopoate who’d kept a high kick in field to take the lead out to 18 points.

A huge 40/20 almost led to more York points, only for the last pass out wide to be too hard for David Nofoaluma to take.

That was York’s last chance of the game, and the scoring was completed when Irwin added two more points after York conceded a penalty for a high tackle near to the posts.

Warrington: Thewlis, Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton, Williams, Irwin, Thomas, Walker, Harrison, Bentley, Stone, Currie

Subs: Holroyd, Sipley, Crowther, Woods

18th Player: Hayes

Tries: Thewlis (9), Stone (27), Irwin (33), Walker (51), Lindop (67)

Goals: Irwin (5/7)

York: Mata’afa, Bennison, Wood, Williams, Nofoaluma, Hunter, McShane, Martin, Inman, Va’a, Dee, Field, Hingano

Subs: (all used) Balmforth, Vaughan, Thompson, Foster

18th Player: Buchanan

Tries: McShane (2), Bennison (20)

Goals: Bennison (1/2)

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