| York City Knights 22 Hull Kingston Rovers 24 |
| Richie Hayes Testimonial - 4 January 2004 |
| Both sets of supporters
turned out in force to pay tribute to Richie Hayes in
this fully deserved testimonial between the Knights and
his former club Hull Kingston Rovers forcing the kick-off
to be delayed by ten minutes to allow extra time for
supporters to get into the ground before the action got
under way. When it did there was much for both sets of supporters to cheer as both sides brushed off the cobwebs of the close season to dish up a feast of rugby to lift the hearts on a damp and dreary January afternoon. |
|
Norris the Knight keeps an eye on the action |
| Both sides were much
changed from last season with several high profile
signings on show. The Knights started the game with six
debutants in the line up and three others on the bench. Danny Brough gave the home supporters something to cheer as early as the second minute with a well judged forty-twenty but the Knights couldn’t capitalise on the territorial advantage it provided. Instead, it was Rovers who drew first blood following good work from scrum half Phil Hasty, which set the platform for Rovers first try, Anthony Seibold crashing over in the corner. Rovers doubled their lead on 12 minutes, Craig Farrell forcing his way over in the same corner. |
|
Frank Watene and a team mate wrestle Dan Briggs to the ground |
| The Knights, far from
being down heartened, continued to press and were
rewarded for their efforts mid-way through the half as
Damien Reed took a pass wide on the left, after good work
by Lee Jackson, to race over in the corner. Danny Brough
struck a superb conversion to reduce the deficit to just
two points. The Knights continued to force the visitors back and took the lead on the half hour mark as Danny Seal found a gap twenty metres out to race though to score. Rovers ended the half in the ascendancy forcing the Knights to drop out from beneath their posts twice in succession but the Knights held out to go in two points to the good at the break. |
|
Rovers gather behind their posts after Damien Reed's 23rd minute try |
| The Knights increased
their lead within three minutes of the restart. Danny
Brough sent up a high kick which bounced nicely allowing
Yusuf Sozi to take a short pass and power though two
would be tacklers to crash over at the side of the posts.
Brough converted. 16-8. Rovers soon hit back and after a good passing movement in which the ball was worked right along the line, Mike Hall took a long pass to go in at the corner. Three minutes later Rovers drew level with their fourth try of the game. Two successive penalties took them deep into the York half where they worked the ball right to Dale Holdstock to score. |
|
The Knights rock the Robins to go in two points to the good at the break |
| Jimmy Walker then gave
the visitors the lead for a second time in the game after
burrowing over from close range, before Craig Farrell’s
second try extended the lead to eight points. The Knights had the last word, with Scott Walker taking Lee Jackson’s pass before jinking over at the side of the posts. Brough added the extras. |
|
The crowd watch the action as play goes on |
