Eagles are impressive as Knights struggle with pace

Initial heavy pressure from the Knights’ forwards with quick play- the-balls maintaining the momentum was clinically absorbed before the Eagles took the lead.

Winger Danny Mills shook off a tackle from his opposite number Danny Wilson to release Alex Szostak, and with Quentin Laula Toagagae in support the full-back scored with Simon Brown converting.

York quickly replied with John Davies breaking the defence from hooker Jack Lee’s pass to touch down before Chris Thorman stepped up a gear.

The former Super League player weaved through a number of attempted tackles and was quickly back in the line to release Jonny Presley for an angled run to score.

But on the half-hour mark, after substitute Ryan Hepworth was held on his back over the line, the ball was swept wide for Danny Mills to score the first of his evening’s tries.

Simon Brown’s conversion from the touchline provided a two-point cushion at the break.

Mills added his second try for the Eagles and this was the prelude to formidable centre Menzie Yere’s rampage through the defence on a 40-metre run.

An offload to Joe Hirst saw Jason Crookes touch down for what was the try of the night to give the visitors a commanding 12-point lead.

York tried manfully to recover but, with five minutes remaining, Stringer combined with Rowe for the prop to touch down with Brown adding his fourth conversion.

York City Knights: Bush, Sutton, Thompson, Straugheir, Wilson, Thorman, Presley, Massey, Lee, Benson, Clarke, Davies, Jones. Substitutes: Freer, Garside, Barron, Lewis.

Sheffield Eagles: Laulu-Togagae, Mills, Yere, Crookes, Bergin, Wood, Brown, Howieson, Henderson, Higgins, Szostak, Green, Hirst. Substitutes: Hepworth, Rowe, Smith, Stringer.

Referee: T Roby (St Helens)

In-form prop Craig Huby has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him at Castleford until the end of 2014.

The 24-year-old, whose current deal was due to run out at the end of the season, has been a key player in the Tigers’ 100 per cent start to Super League XVI.

Huby has made 160 appearances and is Castleford’s longest-serving player.

Leeds Rhinos have recalled outside back Zak Hardaker from Featherstone Rovers following confirmation that Ben Jones-Bishop will be out for 16 weeks with a shoulder dislocation.

Nineteen-year-old Hardaker joined Leeds on a five-year contract last November but was loaned back to the Championship club under the dual-registration system for 2011 and has scored in all five appearances for them so far this season.

Jones-Bishop will undergo shoulder surgery this week after being hurt in last week’s win over Salford.