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York Knights recorded a seventh win from their last eight Betfred Championship matches after beating Swinton Lions at the LNER Community Stadium.
Jordan Thompson and Will Jubb tries saw York lead 14-10 at half-time with an Oli Pratt double in the second period confirming the two points.
The victory continued the Knights' strong end to the 2023 season, leaving themselves just two points outside the Play-Off places with three matches remaining.
Swinton however started the stronger of the two outfits and took a 10th-minute lead when Dan Abram weaved his way through from the Lions' halfway-line break. The try-scorer added the conversion, his first of three goals from four attempts.
However, two quick-fire tries from the Knights saw them move in front.
Thompson hit a reverse pass from Jubb close to the Swinton line before the assister turned scorer. Jubb then scooted out of dummy-half to burrow his way over from close range.
Liam Harris converted both tries and added a late first-half penalty goal.
But Swinton hit back before the break, Joseph Lowe going over in the left corner, following a sweeping scrum move, leaving the Knights 14-10 at half-time.
Swinton went down to 12 men early in the second half, with Jordan Case sin-binned for holding on Pauli Pauli.
York capitalised when a loose carry saw Pratt take the ball 20 yards out and fight his way to the line. Liam Harris kept his perfect kicking record intact and with it came his 350th point for the Knights.
The back-and-forth nature of the match continued when George Roby darted out of acting-half, before Abram's conversion brought the travelling side to within four points again.
Pratt the decisive try of the match 12 minutes later. The centre slalomed through missed tackles from 30m out before and eventually grounding near the posts, giving Harris an easy conversion.
With less than five minutes remaining, Swinton’s late pressure told when Abram broke the line before passing to put Louis Brogan over.
Abram’s conversion made the score 26-22 but the Lions could not make the most of the chances they created in the dying moments and York took home the two points.
York: Harrison, Towse, Pratt, Clarkson, Bass, Daley, Harris, Santi, Jubb, Fitzsimmons, Field, Dee, Thompson
Interchanges (all used): Michael, Pauli, Price, Pemberton
Tries: Thompson (17’), Jubb (23’), Pratt (43’, 63’)
Goals: Harris (5/5)
Swinton: Lowe, Romeo, Spedding, Badrock, Butt, Abram, Gibson, Bennion, Hall, Brogan, Rodden, Cox, Foster
Interchanges (all used): Baker, Case, Parnaby, Roby
Tries: Abram (9’), Lowe (40’), Roby (51’), Brogan (76’)
Goals: Abram (3/4)
Referee: Cameron Worsley
Geoff Pryce Player of the Match in partnership with Isaac Poad Brewing: Oli Pratt
