York Knights 48-8 Sheffield Eagles: Match Report

York Knights built up to Wembley with a 48-8 win over Sheffield Eagles in the Betfred Championship at the LNER Community Stadium.

A lightening start saw them build a 16-0 lead inside 12 minutes, and despite a rally at the end of the first half from Sheffield, Mark Applegarth’s side were always in control.

They scored nine tries, including a hat-trick for Ben Jones-Bishop and two for captain, Liam Harris, as they continued their good run of form and moved up to fourth in the table.

An Eagles knock on in the first set gifted York field position 10 metres out from the Sheffield line. Harris went close before Jones-Bishop continued his fine try scoring run, going in against his former club. Harris converted from the touchline.

Harris scored himself just minutes later in almost the same place, floating through a gap in the Eagles defence close to the line.

Harris scored again, when he danced his way through some weak defending down Sheffield’s left.

The Eagles were struggling for possession and when they did get the ball, they were met with some strong York tackling, preventing them from any real opportunities.

Eventually, back to back penalties allowed the Eagles a chance within 20 metres of the York line, but again the Knights’ defence stood firm.

With four minutes to go to the break, Sheffield got off the mark, moving the ball out wide for Matty Dawson-Jones to dive in at the corner.

As the game went on, the Eagles managed to get themselves into it, and scored again after the break. Mata’afa didn’t clear a grubber kick and Jenson Windley touched down to narrow the gap.

The Knights went down to 12 when Sam Cook was sin binned for a high tackle, but it was still them who scored next. Ben Jones-Bishop scooted in for a second after some slick ball movement. Harris added another huge conversion from the touchline.

York were finding their rhythm again, and another lovely pass from Harris saw Jack Martin storm over.

Some enterprising play on the last of the set then saw Joe Brown take a long ball and go over in space at the corner

Sam Cook was next to go in from a Harris pass, and with the conversion, York were 30 points ahead.

Sheffield started to build some rare pressure on the York line, only for Ukuma Ta’a to intercept and release Harris. The set ended with Jones-Bishop scoring his hat-trick. Harris hit the upright with the conversion.

Oli Field got on the scoresheet on the next set from the restart, while Harris’ goal brought him a personal tally of 20 points as the Knights eased to victory.

York: Mata’afa, Brown, Buchanan, Field, Jones-Bishop, Hingano, Harris, Martin, McShane, Ta’ai, Dee, Bailey, Thompson

Subs: Santi, Cook, O’Neill, Hudson (all used)

18th Player: Gannon

Tries: Jones-Bishop (2, 47,68), Harris (6,12), Martin (55), Brown (60), Cook (64), Field (71)

Goals: Harris (6/9)

Sin Bin: Sam Cook (46)

Sheffield: Walker, Billy, Welham, Carter, Dawson-Jones, Gwaze, Windley, Battye, Johnson, Dickinson, Roberts, Billington, Reilly

Subs: Butterworth, Hodgson, Broadbent, Peachy (all used)

Tries: Dawson-Jones (36), Windley (44)

Goals: Walker (0/1), Butterworth (0/1)

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