Hemel 10 York 70: Knights on the rise after 13-try victory

York City Knights rose to fourth in League One after a 13-try romp at Hemel.

Kriss Brining, in his first game back from a two-month injury lay-off, led the try-scoring with a hat-trick. There were also doubles for dual-registered Castleford youngster Jordan Howden, full-back Ben Dent and winger Nev Morrison.

Howden’s brace kicked off the scoring, the second set up by Brining’s midfield break. The 21-year-old hooker then got his first two tries, the first a trademark close-range effort from dummy-half before making the break, feeding Josh Tonks and taking the return pass to finish.

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The first half was scrappy, though, and York paid for cheap turnovers when Alex Ingarfield crashed over, BJ Swindells converting.

James Clare kicked inside and Ben Dent touched down to make it 26-6 at half-time.

York sped up the play on the resumption to bag six tries in 21 minutes. Greg Minikin scooped up a loose ball following a kick and somehow weaved his way to the line, and the centre turned provider with a superb inside pass for Harry Carter to cross.

Dent got his second from another inside kick by Clare, before Morrison was up in support to score after Jonny Presley had sprinted 70 metres.

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Clare finished a sharp move expertly, before Ed Smith notched the try of the match. Morrison added his second and, Conor Boyd-Barnes replied for Hemel, before Brining had the last word.

Hemel: Olpherts, McNamara, Swindells, Brown, Anthony, Woodburn-Hall, Coleman, Stewart, Helliwell, Castle, Ingarfield, Mbaraga, Sadler. Substitutes: Darby, Cousinie, Chester, Barnes.

Knights: B Dent, Clare, Minikin, Channing, Morrison, Presley, Howden, Applegarth, Brining, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Nicholson. Substitutes: Carter, Cunningham, Blagbrough, Learmonth.