Dent sets Knights on their way back to top

A Scorpions’ error from kick-off allowed Ben Dent to score on two minutes after being set up by James Ford. Ben Reynolds’s conversion attempt hit the post.

Colton Roche soon added the second after good work from James Haynes and Ed Smith. Reynolds had no problem with the kick and they were 10-0 up.

Scorpions opened their account after Jack Pring made a lovely one-two with Ian Newbury to ground left of the sticks.

But York addressed the balance on 18 minutes when James Ford crossed following a penalty.

Further tries from Jack Lee and Dent, the latter converted by Reynolds followed, to give York a 24-4 lead at the break.

Scorpions’ Mike Connor broke the second-half deadlock as he eased through the Knights defence. Emanuelli converted.

But York then took control of the second half to secure their win. Dent notched his hat-trick, a clever move charging down the field to go in under the posts giving Reynolds an easy goal.

Knights increased their lead when Ford got the better of the Scorpions’ back-line to score in the corner then Reynolds set up Haynes who broke 40 metres to run under the sticks.

Following a long delay due to injury to Harry Cartwright during a brawl, Reynolds went from creator to scorer as he scored York’s ninth try of the day, converting easily himself.

South Wales: Sheridan, Newbury, Pring, Wilcox, Scrivens, Emanuelli, Wilde, East, Farrer, Vitalini, O. Davies, Connor, Bateman. Substitutes: Elliott, Owens, O. Phillips, Cartwright.

York: Haynes, Saltonson, Ford, Craig, B. Dent, Reynolds, P. Smith, Brennan, Lee, Roche, Backhouse, E. Smith, Pickets. Substitutes: Brining, Carter, Morrison, Harper.

Referee: D Sharpe (RFL).