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York Knights got revenge for defeat on the opening day of the season by beating Doncaster 27-0 at the LNER Community Stadium.
It’s back to back wins for Mark Applegarth’s men and the result has lifted them to seventh in the Betfred Championship.
It’s also their second clean sheet in five games.
Sam Cook gave York the early lead, with further tries from Oli Field and a brace from Joe Brown making sure the league points went the way of the Knights.
An evenly matched opening saw a battle for possession and territory. Nothing much separated the sides until a penalty put the Knights in a good position. Sam Cook capitalised, diving over from acting half next to the posts. Will Dagger converted to give York the early lead.
Dagger extended that lead with a penalty 20 metres out after Doncaster were punished for a high tackle.
An error from Dagger led to good territory for Doncaster 20 metres out from the York line. Dagger then diffused a kick on the last and after a late challenge on him, former Knight Connor Robinson was sent to the sin bin.
While Doncaster were down to 12 men, York took advantage. Jordan Thompson found Connor Bailey who sent a long ball out to Joe Brown to dive over in the corner to give York a 12-0 half time lead.
Pressure continued in the second half from the Knights, and it paid off with Oli Field winning the race to reach an Ata Hingano grubber kick to score. Dagger converted.
With territory hard to come by, Doncaster tried to make the most of the chances they had. A towering kick on the last looked dangerous, but Field climbed highest to take it and regain possession for the Knights.
In the resulting set, a high tackle on Thompson gave Dagger an easy penalty attempt in front of the posts to take the lead to 20-0.
With five minutes to go, the Knights were in again. Doncaster’s Brett Ferris spilled the ball in his own half and Nikau Williams picked it up and broke away. Brown was in support to go in for his second of the game. Dagger again added the conversion.
With just 30 seconds remaining, Will Dagger added a drop goal to complete a comprehensive win for York.
York: Dagger, Brown, Williams, Keinhorst, Ward, Harris, Hingano, Fitzsimmons, Cook, Thompson, Gannon, Bailey, Cunningham
Subs (all used): Field, Teanby, Michael, Daley
18th Player: Jubb
Tries: Cook (9'), Brown (37', 77'), Field (47')
Goals: Dagger (5/6)
Drop Goal: Dagger (80')
Doncaster: Guzdek, Briscoe, Lyne, Tali, Faraimo, Boas, Robinson, Knowles, Lovodua, Matagi, Hey, Ferres, Wilde
Subs (all used): Foster, McConnell, Hall, Mafi
18th player: Holdstock
Tries: None
Goals: None
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