Blackpool Panthers 27 York City Knights 14: Llewellyn hat-trick as Knights stutter

A dour first half, punctuated only by the repetitive whistle of referee Clint Sharrard, produced disallowed tries for each side as Panthers' Paul Ballard and Danny Ratcliffe crossed the whitewash to no avail.

But Tom Hemingway's astute kick broke the deadlock as Ballard touched down only for York to steal the lead. Excellent handling across the backs saw Dennis Tuffour score by the flag with Lee Waterman adding a huge conversion from the touchline.

Jonny Leather then produced another man-of-the-match performance inspiring the home side to greater heights. He made the break and quick hands with Llewellyn saw Damien Munro fly in at the corner.

Hemingway and Carl Forber linked well for the first of Llewellyn's tries before York hit back as Tuffour again crossed the line. But Llewellyn completed his hat-trick to take the game beyond the visitors.

Joe McLocklan produced an outrageous dummy to score and provide York with hope of a bonus point but this was dashed at the death as Leather coolly stroked a field goal.

Blackpool: Leather, Munro, Ainscough, Llewelyn, Ballard, Fober, Hemingway, Holland, Clough, A. Hobson, Walker, Halliwell, Haggerty. Substitutes: Keavney, Anderson, McCully, Radcliffe.

York: Ratcliffe, Tuffour, Mitchell, Waterman, Lineham, McLocklan, Schofield, Applegarth, Stamp, Freer, Ross, Peacock, Blakeway. Substitutes: Bromilow, Hardbottle, Clough, Benson.

Referee: C Sharrard (RFL)