York Knights 42-16 London Broncos: Match Report

York Knights beat London Broncos 42-16 at the LNER Community Stadium to stay top of the Betfred Championship with four games remaining.

A first half hat trick, scored in the space of 10 mins, from Scott Galeano helped the Knights take control with a lead they never relinquished.

Four more tries in the second half put further daylight between the Knights and a battling London, but it was another dominant display from Mark Applegarth’s side.

Early pressure gave York the ideal start after just three minutes. Ben Jones-Bishop went in at the corner after a high kick was fumbled by London on the last, allowing the Knights to get possession and move the ball wide. Liam Harris, back in the side after injury, couldn’t convert from the touchline.

The pressure continued, but it was London that scored next.

After a penalty from an incident in back play, the Broncos kicked through on the last and Ethan Natoli was on hand to touch down as the ball bounced kindly for him. Jack Smith converted to put London ahead.

That lead didn’t last long, as the Knights swiftly gained good field position. Fast hands saw Oli Field feed Scott Galeano in space, and he sped down the wing to score. Harris tagged on a towering touchline conversion.

More good handling saw Galeano get a second just five minutes later, with Hingano and Field combining to send him in. This time, Harris pulled the conversion wide.

Moments later, Galeano was in again for his hat-trick. A looping pass out wide from Hingano found him in space to dot down, but again too far out for Harris to add the extras.

London came close only to have an attempt by Tom Worthington ruled out for a double movement after collecting a high kick on the last. That was London's best chance of the half, and the Knights led 18-6 at half time.

An intense start to the second half almost led to another Knights try, when Hingano engineered space and slipped out a lovely pass to release Field down the touchline, only for the defence to squeeze him out of space and tackle him into touch.

Patient play eventually paid off. Off the back of another penalty which gave them good position, the Knights moved quickly from the play the ball and with the Broncos line stretched, Harris went over for a try he also converted.

Harris turned provider moments later, offloading from the tackle to send Connor Bailey over. Harris’ goal meant the Knights were 24 points ahead and in control.

However, it was London who added more points next, when Christopher Hellec was sent through a gap close to the York line, and Smith added the goal to reduce the deficit slightly.

That didn’t last for long, as minutes later, Brenden Santi charged over from a short pass, and with Harris again adding the goal, the 24 point gap was restored.

However, it was turning in to a spell of tries being scored alternately. Charles Robson intercepted in his own 10 metre area and went the full length of the pitch to score for London. Smith couldn’t add the goal.

Scott Galeano was held up and denied a fourth try before Jack Martin flew in and pounced on a Paul McShane grubber behind the posts. Harris again was accurate with the boot to complete another successful afternoon for the Knights.

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

Subs (all used): Santi, Pemberton, Reynolds, Clark

18th Player: Dagger

Tries: Jones-Bishop (3), Galeano (18,23,28), Harris (50), Bailey (54), Santi (65), Martin (76)

Goals: Harris (5/ 8)

London: Hellec, Robson, Natoli, Smith, Qareqare, Binks, O’Beirne, Rugless, Davies, Okoro, Lovell, Adebiyi, Stock

Subs: Porter, Worthington, Hursey-Hord, Ross

18th Player: Jenson Monk

Tries: Natoli (15), Hellec (60), Robson (72)

Goals: Smith (2/3)

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