York Knights 35-16 Bradford Bulls: Match Report

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York Knights ended the season with back to back wins, and secured tenth place in their first ever campaign in Betfred Super League.

They beat Bradford Bulls by 35-16, in a game which saw them score six tries, including one for Ben Jones-Bishop on his 400th career appearance.

York overcame Scott Galeano's sinbinning in the opening quarter of the game and going six points down to hit back and claim their ninth win of a historic season, capped off with a drop goal by the retiring Paul Vaughan.

Both teams started with some intensity and York were getting the better of their opponents before they were reduced to 12 men. Galeano was shown a yellow card after a tip tackle on Phoenix Steinwede, and Bradford looked to take advantage.

The Bulls built good pressure near the York line, and Joe Mellor put Ryan Sutton in for the opening try of the night, converted by Atkin.

Galeano soon put things right, scoring almost immediately after returning to the field after Liam Harris and Ata Hingano combined. Cody Hunter added the first of his five goals and the game was level.

Soon afterwards, Jones-Bishop was put into space in the corner after the ball had been shipped quickly to the right and York’s pressure told.

However, the scoring took a tit-for-tat turn, and after York failed to deal with a high ball, Riley Dean pounced and Atkin converted again to level things.

The half time lead went the way of the Knights when Hingano was involved again with a lovely pass to Toa Mata’afa hit a lovely line to score, and York went back six points in front.

Bradford had a couple of chances in the second half, the best from Ebon Scurr, who had an effort ruled out by the video referee for an obstruction in the build up.

From there, York took control. First, Jesse Dee was got to a kick in behind from Paul McShane to extend the lead to ten points, before Xavier Va’a muscled his way over after a York gained possession from a Bradford error close to their own line.

David Nofoaluma showed some incredible individual flair, when running out of options he

put a kick through the defensive line and followed it through. An awkward bounce saw the ball evade the Bradford defence, and Nofoaluma popped up to touch down.

York were sure of the victory by this point, so when Jayden Okunbor had a chance in the last five minutes for the Bulls, his try was just a consolation.

However, the most memorable moment came not long before the final whistle, when the retiring Vaughan kicked his first ever drop goal.

It triggered scenes of celebration on the pitch and brought the curtain down on a great career, and a historic season for the Knights.

York: Mata'afa, Jones-Bishop, Galeano, Wood, Nofoaluma, Hunter, Harris, Va’a, McShane, Vaughan, Dee, Field, Thompson

Subs: (all used) Balmforth, HIngano, Martin, Foster

18th Player: Bennison

Tries: Galeano (24), Jones-Bishop (28), Mata’afa (38), Dee (51), Va’a (65), Nofoaluma (67)

Goals: Hunter (5/6)

Drop Goal: Vaughan (78)

Sin Bin: Galeano (13)

Bradford: Aekins, Okunbor, Russell, Blake, Wynne, Dean, Atkin, Sutton, Ackers, Scurr, Gardiner, Steinwede, Mellor

Subs: (used) Gill, Peposhi, Marsters (not used) Ruan

18th Player: Hooley