York show required response to get better of Halifax

A tense first 40 minutes saw York responding well to coach Dave Woods’s demand for a greater show of desire after recent heavy defeats and captain Alex Benson drew first blood.

Receiving the ball 10m from the line, his angled run confused the defence as he touched down with players on his back and video referee Ian Smith awarded the try.

Halifax, with Ben Jones continually prompting, looked dangerous in patches and quick hands from Bob Beswick moved the ball laterally for Paul White to score although Danny Jones’s conversion attempt struck a post.

York were clearly more determined than of late and the introduction of Brett Waller from the bench paid dividends. Anthony Thackray’s kick for territory was followed by a quick penalty for the Knights and Waller stormed over to give Chris Thorman an easy conversion.

Thorman missed a penalty with the hooter looming but another quick penalty saw the former Super League star drill the ball over from five metres inside his own half to give a 10-point advantage at the break.

The second half was similarly tense although once Knights centre Ryan Esders collected a spilled ball from Greenwood to score after yet another video referee decision the victory was assured despite White adding his second try in the dying embers of the game.

York City Knights: Haynes, Sutton, Bush, Esders, Tuffour, Thackeray, Thorman, Freer, Lee, Benson, Lewis, Garside, Clarke. Substitutes: E Smith, Presley, B Jones, Waller .

Halifax: Greenwood, White, Haley, Fieldhouse, Worrincy, Jones, Bowman, Chandler, Beswick, Cherryholme, Clayton, Bannister P Smith. Substitutes: Nash, Black, Aizue, Watene.

Referee: Tim Roby (St Helens).