Knights given stern test by All Golds before late winner

A Jason Golden try in the closing minutes gave York a hard-fought victory after last year’s Championship One basement club served notice they were a considerably stronger proposition under new coach Brad Hepi.

York’s early lead after winger Ben Dent cruised in to score was undone by lively Gloucester half-back Danny Thomas’s chip over the defence before re-gathering to score and Aiden Jenkin’s convertsion.

But the Knight’s introduction of Iain Morrison saw two quick tries as he punched holes in the All Golds defence for Jake Joynt to power through and score before Benn Hardcastle intercepted a sloppy defensive pass after Morrison again caused consternation with a powerful 30-metre break.

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Two tries during a revitalised second-half performance with Marcus Elliott and Jenkins crossing the whitewash levelled the scores only for York half-back Pat Smith to squirrel over the line from acting-half before Golden finally ensured safety at the death.

York City Knights: L Hardcastle, Dent, Morland, Minikin, Elliot, P Smith, B Hardcastle, Joynt, Lee, Bell, Golden, E Smith, Paterson. Substitutes: Brining, Morrison, Crane, Mallinder.

Gloucestershire All Golds: Elliot, Rance, Greene, A Jenkins, Fisher, Barlow, Thomas, Chapman-Walker, Cook, Duffy, Muranka, Tutuila, Haynes. Substitutes: Tyson-Wilson, Nolan, McClean, Cowburn.

Referee: M Woodhead (RFL).