Match Reports

Brave Knights give Dragons a fright

Sunday 22nd April - Ladbrokes Challenge Cup

Published: 22 April, 2018 - 7:47 pm

Catalans Dragons were pushed all the way by York City Knights in a pulsating Ladbrokes Challenge Cup round five tie at Bootham Crescent today. With just ten minutes remaining the Knights of League 1 were still within touching distance of their Super League opponents, before late tries from Jodie Broughton and Greg Bird ensured that the Dragons would go into the hat for round six. The presence of the BBC cameras at Bootham Crescent was evidence that this tie was seen as a potential ‘cup-set’, with the home side in good form and Catalans in the midst of a torrid... ...Read The Article

Knights teach Skolars a lesson at the Crescent

Sunday 15th April - League 1

Published: 15 April, 2018 - 7:18 pm

York City Knights recorded their seventh consecutive victory to maintain the pressure at the top of Betfred League 1, running out comfortable 66-6 winners over London Skolars at an overcast Bootham Crescent. Experienced forwards Adam Robinson and Graeme Horne were rotated for Chris Siddons and Dan Hawksworth, Mike Kelly filled in for Joe Batchelor who dropped out for concussion, and on-loan St Helens hooker Aaron Smith was preferred to Will Jubb. There was a recall for Ash Robson too, who traded full back and wing duties throughout the afternoon with Kieren Moss. The Knights made a bright start, going 10-0... ...Read The Article

Knights go joint top with Newcastle victory

Sunday 8th April - League 1

Published: 9 April, 2018 - 1:48 pm

York City Knights produced another big defensive performance to record their sixth straight victory at Newcastle Thunder and move joint-top of the Betfred League 1 table after five rounds. The Knights welcomed Will Oakes, Matty Marsh and Josh Johnson into the team and all three produced positive contributions on a chilly but dry day in the North East. York immediately started on the front foot with Thunder full back Tee Ritson spilling the kick off, and enjoyed the majority of possession and territory throughout the opening stages, before experienced hooker Andy Ellis opened the scoring with a classic close range... ...Read The Article

Battling Knights edge past Doncaster

Friday 30th March - League 1

Published: 31 March, 2018 - 2:34 pm

An outstanding second half defensive effort at the Keepmoat Stadium yesterday ensured that York City Knights became the first team to beat Doncaster in 2018. It was the second consecutive Good Friday victory for York over the Dons and a fifth consecutive victory for the Knights this season, lifting them up to third in the Betfred League 1 table. With Colton Roche recalled by Huddersfield, Ash Robson and Brad Hey injured and no dual registration options available, the Knights faced a tough challenge against the previously unbeaten Dons as Head Coach James Ford rang the changes. Tim Spears and Joe Batchelor passed... ...Read The Article

Scrappy Knights tame Cougars

Sunday 25th March - League 1

Published: 26 March, 2018 - 3:54 pm

York City Knights saw off a dogged Keighley Cougars to claim two more vital Betfred League 1 points in a scrappy game at Bootham Crescent yesterday. Big performances from pack men Graeme Horne, Colton Roche, Josh Johnson and Adam Robinson helped set the platform for victory alongside an inspired 80 minute performance from Will Jubb at hooker, with a spectacular 90 metre try from Joe Batchelor being the highlight of the day. The Knights preparations were disrupted by the withdrawal of Matty Marsh and Liam Salter, but Liam Jackson and the ever improving Jake Normington ensured that the dual registered... ...Read The Article

Classy Knights down Lions in the snow

Sunday 18th March - Ladbrokes Challenge Cup

Published: 19 March, 2018 - 12:53 pm

York City Knights defied league status for the second time in two seasons to knock Championship opposition out of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup with an attritional 26-12 victory over Swinton Lions yesterday. With the Bootham Crescent pitch waterlogged, the game was moved at late notice to Featherstone’s LD Nutrition stadium in order to avoid a fixture pile-up before the fifth round of the prestigious knock-out competition next month, as tough games against Keighley and at Doncaster and Newcastle await. Head Coach was without loanee Colton Roche and rested Adam Robinson, with Dan Hawksworth and Rory Dixon coming in and contributing... ...Read The Article

Knights edge thriller at Oldham to get off the mark in League 1

Sunday 11th March - League 1

Published: 12 March, 2018 - 12:59 pm

York City Knights triumphed 24-22 over promotion rivals Oldham in a thrilling encounter at the Vestacare Stadium yesterday to secure their first league points of the season. Oldham headed into the showdown having gone 160 minutes of competitive rugby without conceding a single point – However, the Roughyeds found themselves behind with just 11 minutes on the clock as Chris Siddons break forged an opening for Matty Marsh to cross. Connor Robinson converted his first of four goals. Oldham got on the scoreboard through Matt Reid in the 29th minute, with Paul Crook duly converting. The visitors restored their lead on... ...Read The Article

Clinical Knights progress in Challenge Cup

Saturday 24th February - Ladbrokes Challenge Cup

Published: 26 February, 2018 - 5:23 pm

Report courtesy of York Press. Photo courtesy of Milton Haworth. Brad Hey scored a second-half hat-trick as York City Knights breezed into the fourth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup with a 64-6 win over plucky amateurs Askam. The hosts, of National Conference League division two, had pulled off surprise wins against division one York Acorn and premier tier West Hull to reach the stage where League One clubs enter. But there was never any sign of a shock this time in a freezing south west Cumbria, as James Ford’s men gave a professional performance littered with touches of class to... ...Read The Article

Knights edged out by Bulls in Bootham Crescent thriller

Sunday 18th February - League 1

Published: 19 February, 2018 - 1:10 pm

The 2018 Betfred League 1 season kicked off with a bang at Bootham Crescent yesterday as a Knights record crowd of 4,218 witnessed a thrilling game of rugby league, that was only settled with the last kick of the game. A virus in the Knights camp last week threatened to disrupt James Ford’s plans, however he was able to name a strong 17 on the day – Kieren Moss (loan), Will Oakes and Matty Marsh (DR) came into the team to shore up the backline. The Knights made a perfect start after forcing an early goal line drop-out from the... ...Read The Article

Knights round off pre season with Hunslet win

Sunday 28th January - Pre-Season

Published: 29 January, 2018 - 2:02 pm

Three tries in the last five minutes sealed York City Knights an encouraging 30-6 victory over Betfred League 1 rivals Hunslet to round off the 2018 pre-season programme at Bootham Crescent yesterday. James Ford started with a reasonably strong team despite Tim Spears (dead leg), Joe Batchelor and Harry Carter (both concussion) sitting out the Knights final warm up game. Will Dagger, Joe Cator and Brad Clavering all featured from the bench on Dual-Registration. Hunslet started brightly in what was their first pre-season game and won a few penalties off the back of their early enthusiasm, but it was the... ...Read The Article