Oxford 20 York 44: Depleted Knights chalk up first league success

Boosted by three late dual-reg signings from Bradford in Nathan Conroy, Adam Brook and Dave Peterson, Oxford only trailed 
18-16 at half-time.

They were still hanging in there at 30-20 with 12 minutes left when they were given an extra man, Pete Aspinall sent off for punching Nathan Kitson. York’s James Haynes and Oxford’s Brook were also sin-binned.

However, two quickfire York tries killed home hopes.

York had gone ahead inside two minutes, Josh Tonks bursting through, and winger Tyler Craig increased the lead from a Liam Cunningham offload.

However, mistakes allowed Oxford a route back and Conroy scored from acting-half, Danny Allan converting.

Another Cunningham off-load saw York increase their lead, Haynes weaving through, but he failed with all the conversion attempts. Oxford levelled as Andy Hoggins picked up a dropped ball to sprint 70 metres, Allan goaling.

Cunningham charged through, Haynes finally adding extras, but Oxford scored the try of the half to make it 18-16, Hoggins the finisher.

Six consecutive penalties after half-time helped York retake command, with Jack Iley and Greg Minikin scoring converted tries. But Payne stretched over an arm to reply, and the flurry of cards followed. Late tries from Morrison, Jonny Presley and Craig secured victory.

Oxford: Kitson, Clark, Brooker, Hoggins, Jones-Bishop, Allan, Brook, Payne, Conroy, Danns, Scott, Blaney, Peterson. Substitutes: Hopwood, Withington, O’Keeffe, Hayles.

York: Haynes, Craig, Minikin, Cunningham, Morrison, Presley, P. Smith, Applegarth, Carter, Aldous, Tonks, E. Smith, Roche. Substitutes: Iley, Mallinder, Aspinall, Leary.

Referee: S Mikalauskas (RFL).