York City Knights 40 Newcastle 8: York’s class and power overwhelm Newcastle

The Knights’ high impact play created problems although it was 13 minutes before Ed Smith breached Newcastle’s try line, bursting onto Jonny Presley’s sharp pass, James Haynes adding the extras.

Newcastle looked to gain territory with Sebastian Martins prominent, ably supported by Matty Barron, but the Knights increased their lead as Jonny Presley scampered over after excellent approach work from Greg Minikin and Ed Smith.

Louis Sheriff injected pace into the Newcastle attack and his quality ball saw Dayne Craig touch down although a triple Knights substitution quickly paid dividends as Ryan Mallinder offloaded for Kris Brining to score on their first touches of the ball. Sonny Esslemont dropped the ball with the Knights’ try-line beckoning although it was super-substitute Brining who crossed the whitewash twice within two minutes to effectively seal victory.

The second was arguably a contender for try of the season as he weaved through the bemused Thunder defence from his own half.

Brad Nicholson powered through to touch down only for Thunder winger Macauley Hallet to respond following a quick movement involving Benn Hardcastle and Ali Blair.

The Knights had the final word as Ed Smith finished off a glorious cross-field movement.

York: Haynes, Morrison, Channing, Minikin, B Dent, Presley, Howden, Applegarth, P Smith, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Nicholson Substitutes: Brining, Roche, Mallinder, Learmonth.

Newcastle: Sheriff, Hallet, Blair, Brown, Capper, Beharrell, Hardcastle, Barron, Simons, Martins, Welsh, Craig, Clarke Substitutes: Wabo, Mexico, Fewlass, Esslemont .

Referee: Dave Merrick.