York Knights 30-8 Featherstone Rovers: Match Report

York Knights moved up to second place in th Betfred Championship after beating Featherstone Rovers 30-8 in hot conditions at the LNER Community Stadium.

In a repeat of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup final, both teams started the game ferociously with strong defence again being a characteristic of the match.

After a tight first half, the Knights held an eight point lead going in at the break.

However, they outscored their opponents three tries to one in the second half to secure the points.

The Knights thought they’d opened the scoring after just three minutes, only for Scott Galeano’s effort in the corner to be ruled out as he was held up over the line.

A scrappy spell followed with both sides guilty of handling errors, notably Jack Martin, who broke clear for York only to drop the ball with a clear run to the line.

York were denied again when fast hands sent Galiano clear, only for play to be brought back for a forward pass.

Similarly, moments later, Featherstone were pulled back for a forward pass as Gareth Gale raced into space.

The Knights were enjoying the best of the possession and eventually, the first points came when Ata Hingano sliced through the defence and raced in from 25 metres for a converted try.

The end to end nature of the game continued, and Rovers had a chance to get off the mark when Ben Reynolds launched a high kick to the corner. Connor Wynne beat Galeano in the air, but knocked on as he tried to ground the ball.

Connor Jones injected more pace into Featherstone’s play when he came on from the bench, and the Knights had to ride out some pressure on their own line. However, it was Mark Applegarth’s side who got the next try of the game when Harris fed Kieran Buchanan who showed some mazy footwork to score from 10 metres out. Harris converted.

Just before half time, Rovers reduced the deficit. After being awarded a penalty for a high tackle in front of the posts, they shipped the ball wide to Wynne, who dotted down at the corner. Reynolds missed the conversion, so the Knights led 12-4 at the break.

The second half started with more pressure from Rovers, including a 40/20 to give them good position. However the York defence still absorbed what was thrown at them.

Again, handling errors made it hard for any flow in attack and in the end it was Rovers that got the first try of the half. Ryan Hampshire fired a pass to Wynne, who scored his second of the game. Again, it was too far out for a successful conversion so the gap remained 4 points.

As momentum swung, it was York who scored next. Connor Bailey slipped through some weak tackling, only to be brought down just short. Paul McShane then showed a dummy from acting half and burrowed his way over beneath the posts. Harris’ flawless record with the boot continued and York had a ten point advantage.

York continued to push, and after Hingano floated across the face of the defence, he offloaded to Harris who put Bailey in for another converted try.

When Conor Fitzsimmons scored near the posts from a Sam Cook pass with three minutes to go, there was no way back for Rovers as York stretched their winning run to nine games.

Right on the final whistle, York had a chance to extend the lead, only for Harris to miss a penalty attempt.

York: Mata’afa, Jones-Bishop, Buchanan, Law, Galeano, Hingano, Harris, Martin, McShane, Fitzsimmons, Field, Bailey, Thompson

Subs (all used): Santi, Cook, Hudson, Clark

18th Player: Brown

Tries: Hingano (16), Buchanan (34), McShane (61), Bailey (70), Fitzsimmons (77)

Goals: Harris (5/6)

Featherstone: Aekins, Wynne, Hardcastle, Glover, Gale, Hampshire, Springer, Jubb, Beckett, Day, Webb, Addy

Subs (all used): Jones, Akaulola, Wilde, Moran

18th Player: Hatton

Tries: Wynne (39, 49)

Goals: Reynolds (0/2)

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