York Knights 22-36 Catalans Dragons: Match Report

York Knights lost 36-22 to Catalans Dragons in their latest game in the Betfred Super League at the LNER Community Stadium.

After a close first half, a lightning start after the break saw Catalans score two quick tries to open up a lead York never caught up.

The teams exchanged tries numerous times in the second half, but the pace of the Dragons at times proved too much for the Knights, who still battled on until the end and almost managed to set up a big finish.

York had a bright start, forcing back to back sets near the Catalans line, while looking strong in defence at the other end of the field. Twice as Catalans looked to put pressure on the York line, huge hits forced knock ons.

After almost 15 minutes, York almost broke the deadlock, only for the video referee to rule out Scott Galeano’s effort in the corner.

As it was, Catalans went up the other end of the field and Matty Russell found a way over after the Dragons kept the ball alive in the face of some stern defence. Toby Sexton missed the conversion.

This seemed to spark the Dragons, who pinned York back in their own 10 metre area on the next set and forced an error. Again, more tough tackling from York repelled their attack.

It was turning into a tight affair, with the teams mostly matching each other, while struggling for rhythm with penalties being conceded.

With a minute left of the half, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet added two more points when the Knights were penalised for a high tackle to take a 12 point lead in at the break.

It was a crazy start to the second half, with four tries in the opening ten minutes. First, it was two quick scores from Catalans. A break from the kick-off ended with Aispuro-Bichet scooting over for a try he converted himself, then three minutes later, Solomona Faataape scored from similar dominance in the middle of the park.

After that fast start from the Dragons, York hit back through Denive Balmforth, who broke from the base of the scrum from 25 metres out.

However, the scoring continued when Toby Sexton leapt highest to claim the ball, and another conversion restored their advantage.

The next try from York reignited the crowd. Starting with David Nofoaluma, he released Galeano who had support from Will Roberts to finish a near full length of the field move. Hunter added the goal.

Again, that was soon cancelled out, as Ugo Tisson rolled over the line to score after Catalans had too much room in the build up.

The topsy-turvey nature of the second half continued as York scored next, with Balmforth getting a second before David Nofoaluma was released down the wing after some lovely play in the build up. Hunter just missed the goal, but York were back to within 8 points.

However, with time against York it was Catalans who remained in control, and they added a further try from Charlie Staines, again converted, to see the game out.

York: Dagger, Galeano, Wood, Mata’afa, Nofoaluma, Roberts, Hunter, Martin, Inman, Vuniyayawa, Buchanan, Field, McShane

Subs:(all used) Balmforth, Va’a, Hudson, Hingano

18th Player: Bennison

Tries: Balmforth (46, 73), Roberts (59), Nofoaluma (76)

Goals: Hunter (3/4)

Catalans: Staines, Russell, Laguerre, Faataape, Cottic, Sexton, Aispuro-Bichet, Allen, Tisson, Navarette, Lipowicz, Maria, Garcia

Subs: Satae, Condon, Wilson, Lis

18th Player: Marc

Tries: Russell (17), Aispuro-Bichet (41), Faataape (44), Sexton (50), Tisson (67), Staines (78)

Goals: Sexton (0/1), Asipuro-Bichet (6/6)

#OurEra | #ThisIsYork ⚔