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York Knights 12-14 Whitehaven - Match Report


York Knights' winning run came to an end after a 14-12 defeat to Whitehaven at the LNER Community Stadium.

Whitehaven moved into a 10-0 lead inside the opening quarter of an hour thanks to two tries from interchange Daniel Spencer-Tonks.


York rallied to move ahead at half-time thanks to converted Matty Marsh and AJ Towse tries late on in the first period.


An arm-wrestle second half was edged by the visitors as Curtis Teare's late left-corner finish proved to be the difference between the two sides.


The defeat ended the Knights' winning streak at three matches, following victories over Barrow Raiders (28-14), Swinton Lions (0-40) and West Bowling (52-12).

Haven's first two scores came from identical plays, as Jamie Doran twice grubber-kicked through for Spencer-Tonks to ground. Sam Freeman converted the latter score.


The Knights appeared to have put points on the board in response on the half-hour when Ata Hingano's cut-out pass put Joe Brown over in the right corner, but the referee ruled it forward.

With three minutes of the first half to go, Hingano's clever inside ball put Marsh through the Haven line.


The Knights then moved in front as Towse's neat inside step in the left corner saw the winger cross the whitewash.

Glover converted both scores for a 12-10 half-time lead.

After an arm-wrestle opening to the second half, York appeared to have moved further ahead when Marsh went under the sticks from Liam Harris' reverse kick. The referee however ruled that the full-back had been held up amid the melee of bodies.

On the hour, Haven missed out on the chance to level the scores when Freeman struck the post from 40m out.

The visitors moved back in front with a dozen minutes left as Teare leapt in at the left corner after the Knights struggled to deal with a Doran chip which was moved wide. Freeman was wide from the touchline, though Haven retained their two-point lead until the finish.

York: Marsh, Brown, Glover, Harrison, Towse, Hingano, Harris, Antrobus, Jubb, Fitzsimmons, Thompson, Kirmond, Michael

Subs (all used): Daley, Teanby, Ta’ai, Barley

Tries: Marsh (37‘), Towse (39’)


Goals: Glover (2/2)


Whitehaven: Rourke, Eccleston, Taylor, Dixon, Teare, Freeman, Doran, Castle, Newton, Tabu, Holiday, Lanskey, O’Brien


Subs (all used): Aiye, Singleton, Spencer-Tonks, Ainley


Tries: Spencer-Tonks (12‘, 16’), Teare (67’)


Goals: Freeman (1/4)


Referee: Scott Mikalauskas


Geoff Pryce Player of the Match in partnership with Isaac Poad Brewing: Conor Fitzsimmons


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