York Knights 19 Hull KR 18: Super League new boys claim famous win on memorable opening night
For years it had been an ambition and at times a mere pipedream; tonight it became reality.
With fireworks illuminating the night sky and every seat filled, there was a sense that this was more than just a game: rugby league had well and truly arrived in York.
Outside the traditional M62 heartlands, the historic city offers a market of its own.
That potential, largely untapped until now, came to life on a special night for York Knights in front of a vibrant and engaged crowd at the LNER Community Stadium.
Under the lights against the defending champions, the Knights showed they belong in Super League by delivering one of the biggest shocks in the competition's 30-year history thanks to Ata Hingano's late drop goal.
This was the ultimate statement by a club ready to make waves at the top level.
York only turned full-time in October with half the central funding of most of their rivals, including their treble-winning visitors.
That they came from 18-6 down – aided by a rush of blood by the sin-binned Mikey Lewis – only adds to the sense of achievement.
Led by grizzled veterans Paul Vaughan, Paul McShane and Jordan Thompson, the Knights were worthy winners on a memorable opening night.
There were stories aplenty surrounding the first game of the campaign, whether it was Mark Applegarth's winning return to Super League – having waited 15 games to get off the mark with Wakefield Trinity – or Hull KR asking for a promoted side to prepare for the World Club Challenge.
That request backfired spectacularly against a team with long memories.
In control midway through the second half in wet conditions, Rovers must quickly dust themselves down and turn their attention to Brisbane Broncos after succumbing to the inspired Knights.
Whether this serves as a timely wake-up call or a damaging setback remains to be seen.
But this was York's night. The Knights and the wider region have now had a taste of the big occasion and will be hungry for more.
All the problems belonged to the Robins at the end of a thrilling encounter.
After losing Dean Hadley in the warm-up, Rovers suffered another scare when Jez Litten took a knock to the head inside the opening 30 seconds.
The influential hooker returned after the all-clear to find his team embroiled in a ding-dong battle with their fired-up hosts.
Willie Peters' men appeared to have York where they wanted them during an incessant spell of pressure deep in home territory, doing what they do best by grinding the opposition into submission.
But the Knights survived – helped by a video referee decision to deny Tyrone May a try – and visibly grew in confidence.
Then came the moment the city had been waiting for. McShane, who was sweating over his participation in the opener following his Challenge Cup red card before escaping a ban, worked the short side with a classy cut-out pass and Sam Wood did the rest with a gleeful sliding finish in the corner against his former club.
Rovers were a Tom Davies try-saving tackle on Scott Galeano away from falling further behind before belatedly kicking into gear.
York were struggling to contain the Robins around the ruck and eventually buckled, Jai Whitbread spinning out of a tired tackle to crash over from close range.
Rhyse Martin edged Rovers in front for the first time, only to concede the penalty that allowed Liam Harris to level the scores on the stroke of half-time.
But the pattern that emerged in the latter stages of the first half continued after the interval.
Whitbread had a second try chalked off for a double movement but did not have to wait much longer to complete his brace with another straight off the ruck.
When Litten provided a third assist from a ruck play to put Jesse Sue over under the posts, the floodgates appeared to have opened.
But York never went away and had a lifeline after Lewis saw yellow for a trip on Harris.
The Knights captain picked himself up to drag his team back into the contest, double pumping at the line to send Wood over for his second try.
York had the scent of a famous comeback and the Robins were rocking.
Against all pre-match expectations, the Knights were level after Galeano finished Hingano's wicked grubber kick and Harris held his nerve to add the extras.
The stage was set for Hingano to send over a one-pointer for the ages and secure arguably the greatest victory in York's history.
York Knights: Mata'afa, Jones-Bishop, Williams, Wood, Galeano, Hingano, Harris, Va'a, McShane, Vaughan, Field, Dee, Thompson. Substitutes: Balmforth, Martin, Sangare, Griffin.
Tries: Wood (18, 66), Galeano (73).
Goals: Harris 3/4.
Drop goal: Hingano (76).
Hull KR: Mourgue, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Lewis, May, Sue, Litten, Brown, Martin, Batchelor, Minchella. Substitutes: Broadbent, Luckley, Whitbread, Lawton.
Tries: Whitbread (33, 48), Sue (55).
Goals: Martin 3/3.
Sin bin: Lewis (60).
Referee: Liam Rush.