York City Knights 38 Blackpool Panthers 18: Thorman sparkles as forwards lay platform for York's passage to final against Oldham

York's early game plan was soon evident as Thorman repeatedly drove the Blackpool defence into a rearguard action by choosing to kick on only the fourth tackle.

Although winger Damien Munroe narrowly managed to avoid conceding a 40:20 the ball was won back and as Thorman found Danny Ratcliffe it was his quick pass that enabled Lee Waterman to use his pace and power to plunge through the massed defence and touch down.

Although Waterman was unable to convert his own try the scene had been set and only nine minutes later another high bomb was spilled with hooker Jack Lee's incisive pass enabling prop Alex Benson to score under the posts.

It was 17 minutes before York conceded their first penalty and Panthers dangerous centre Casey Mayberry demonstrated his silky skills as he created a try out of nowhere.

His elusive running across and through the York defensive line provided a touch down for Carl Forber with Tom Hemmingway adding the first of his three conversions.

York quickly bounced back and Thorman again was involved as his clever grubber kick was met with perfection by Danny Ratcliffe to score. And still York maintained the intensity as the props rotated with Jack Stearman entering the fray.

The youngster produced a massive leg drive to take play forward and Thorman at acting-half quickly saw the Panthers winger had been pulled infield before releasing an inch perfect kick for winger Danny Wilson to score unopposed and provide a 14-point cushion at the half-time break.

Blackpool emerged with coach Martin Crompton's words clearly ringing in their ears but Mark McCully was quickly placed on report for forcibly pulling Stearman's head back in the tackle. Waterman stroked over the penalty.

Panthers full-back Martin Ainscough bounced back from an uncharacteristic poor first-half performance to produce a superb inside pass for Paul Anderson to score and with Hemmingway converting the deficit was only 10 points.

But the Panthers' indiscipline struck again as Anderson slammed the ball into the ground after knocking-on and Waterman kicked the penalty.

This appeared to be the defining moment sparking two tries in quick succession with Ratcliffe weaving his way through a bemused defence to score before turning provider as his inside pass saw Thorman show his pace over 35 metres to score under the posts.

With Waterman converting both tries the Panthers' fate was sealed although McCully added a late try and Waterman kicked another penalty for further dissent.

York City Knights: Ratcliffe, Reittie, Mitchell, Waterman, Wilson, Thorman, Haynes, Freer, Lee, Benson, Ross, Esders, Hardbottle. Substitutes: Stamp, Lewis, Dinsdale, Stearman.

Blackpool Panthers: Ainscough, Munro, Mayberry, Thompson, Woodcock, Forber, Hemmingway, Anderson, Clough, Hobson, Helliwell. Alcock, McCully. Substitutes: Keavney, Llewellyn, Best, Holland.

Referee: G Hewer (Whitehaven).