| York City Knights 40 Swinton Lions 2 |
| National League Division Two - 1 June 2003 |
| York City Knights
recorded their biggest ever win thanks to a superb twenty
one minute spell in the second half when they ran in
seven tries without reply. Leading, 4-2 on 58 minutes, it
would only be fair to say that the scoreline at that time
did not reflect the Knights dominance in the early stages.
From the very start they had looked the better side, but
as in recent weeks, and particularly recent first halfs,
they had not converted their superiority into points. That was until Scott Rhodes lit the touch paper with just 22 minutes of the game remaining with a low grubber kick to the corner which bounced back off the legs of a Lions' player to Graeme Hallas. Hallas, sensing it was on the last tackle lofted a high kick in the direction of the Swinton posts which Craig Wingfield, under pressure from several Knights players, failed to gather, leaving Neil Law to pick up and charge over from ten metres. Brough added the extras to give the Knights daylight, but more importantly, the confidence and belief to see the game out in thrilling style. |
|
Swinton scrum half Peter Cannon looks to retrieve the ball close to his own line |
| You could sense the try
was a big relief to all concerned, particularly after the
experiences of the last two home games when their
opponents went on to steal the show. The Knights started brightly enough with Lee Jackson scything through a gap as early as the second minute but Mark Cain, in support on the inside, couldn't take the pass and the opportunity went begging. Danny Brough kicked the home side ahead moments later with a well struck penalty as the Knights continued to dominate. Andy Burland then went close before Lee Jackson was held up over the line. But it was Brough who stretched the lead with another penalty after a high tackle on Scott Rhodes. 4-0. |
|
Recent signing Craig Forsyth and Mark Cain get to grips with a Lions player |
| The Knights had another
golden opportunity to score on 34 minutes after Darren
Callaghan's superb pass set Neil Law free. The big centre
galloped towards the posts but was hauled down just five
metres short with the ball going forward in the process. The second half started just as the first one had finished with Neil Law going close once more but this time he was held up over the line. Swinton then hit back with a penalty to reduce the deficit and for seven minutes the home crowd must have been wondering whether the Knights would hang on. In the end their was no doubt. Within three minutes of Law's try the Knights had crossed again. They won the ball against the head, Hallas fed Godfrey and the winger outpaced the cover to score in the corner. 14-2. |
|
Graeme Hallas finds his way blocked by two Lions tacklers |
| Three minutes later and
the game was in the bag. Brough sent another low kick to
the corner, Graeme Hallas won the chase ahead of several
Swinton players, to dive on the ball and score. 18-2. By now the Knights were on fire as Swinton struggled to keep pace with the game. Scott Rhodes was again the creator for the next try. He appeared to have nowhere to go as he set off on a jinking run 35 metres from the Swinton line, but he found a gap, raced through it before switching the ball inside to Chris Smith who teared away to score under the posts. Brough converted. 24-2. |
|
Alex Godfrey, who made a try scoring return to the side against Swinton |
| New signing Craig Forsyth
then got in on the act with a bulldozing run down the
middle. Lee Jackson took the pass before feeding Hallas,
who passed to Smith for the full back to finish off in
style. Brough added the extras. 30-2. Forsyth then had another good run before finding Mick Ramsden who switched the ball inside to Matt Blaymire, who juggled the ball before regaining full control and waltzing over beneath the posts. Brough converted. 36-2. There was still time for one more moment of magic. Brough and Broadbent were involved, Darren Callaghan then took play on before sending out a sublime one handed pass to Blaymire who raced away score in the corner. 40-2. |
|
Leigh Deakin, Darren Callaghan and Graeme Hallas combine in the tackle |
