Match Reports

Knights draw a blank at table topping Leigh

Sunday 16th February - Betfred Championship

Published: 17 February, 2020 - 1:00 pm

York City Knights fell to a 34-0 defeat to early pacesetters Leigh Centurions at a blustery Leigh Sports Village yesterday. The Knights ‘enjoyed’ an enforced two week lay off thanks to Storm Ciara postponing last weekend’s game at home to Bradford, while Leigh routed Sheffield 58-14 and continued their free scoring form as yesterday’s game escaped the clutches of Storm Desmond. Connor Robinson finally served his one game suspension, meaning Matty Marsh partnered Ben Johnston in the halves, with Will Sharp moving to full back and young loanee Elliott Wallis making his first competitive appearance on the wing. Prop James... ...Read The Article

Late tries sink Knights in Toulouse

Saturday 1st February - Betfred Championship

Published: 1 February, 2020 - 7:00 pm

Three late tries helped seal victory for 12 man Toulouse Olympique over a spirited York City Knights in an entertaining game to start the 2020 Betfred Championship season. Despite arriving to the ground just half an hour before kick off thanks to a logistical error the Knights led 6-10 heading into the final quarter, but despite having Lloyd White sent off the full time outfit finished strongly at their new home in the impressive Stade Ernest Wallon. Head Coach James Ford handed competitive debuts to Will Sharp, Ben Johnston, Chris Clarkson and Danny Washbrook, while for Toulouse Jy Hitchcox, Harrison... ...Read The Article

Knights fall to Bulls in Dewsbury gloom

Sunday 26th January - Pre-Season

Published: 26 January, 2020 - 6:18 pm

By Joseph Neadley York City Knights concluded their pre-season with a narrow 6-4 defeat against the Bradford Bulls at the Tetley’s stadium. Though the match was perhaps marred by handling errors as well as fisticuffs and a power failure. Connor Robinson saw red with eight minutes remaining, with fellow half-back Ben Johnston receiving a yellow card at the same time following a big scuffle just before. The match was then abandoned shortly afterwards due to lack of lighting as 11-man York were forced to enter the new campaign without picking up a win in pre-season. The club will await on... ...Read The Article

Halifax keep Knights humble in pre-season clash

Sunday 19th January - Pre-Season

Published: 20 January, 2020 - 2:00 pm

TWO tries in the final ten minutes saw Halifax defeat York City Knights in the low winter sun at Bootham Crescent yesterday in a scrappy pre-season affair between the Betfred Championship rivals.   Halifax went in front from Shaun Robinson’s effort and, despite Matty Marsh’s score levelling matters, Fax secured victory with two late tries – Steve Tyrer and Matty Garside grabbing them.   Former Super League duo Tom Gilmore and Scott Grix provided the moments of quality in the kicking department to steer Fax to victory.   The tempo of the match was set early on with referee Mr... ...Read The Article

Rovers and Knights produce entertaining pre-season draw – highlights included

Sunday 5th January - Pre-Season

Published: 6 January, 2020 - 1:12 pm

Two tries in the last three minutes saw Featherstone Rovers come back to earn a 12-12 draw against York City Knights at the LD Nutrition Stadium in an entertaining start to both clubs’ pre-season programmes. For the Knights ex Halifax pair Will Sharp and Ben Johnston were given starts while forward trio Danny Washbrook, James Green and Chris Clarkson as well as Hull KR loanee Elliot Wallis all began the match on the bench. Jimmy Keinhorst sat this one out. Four trialists were included too with AJ Towse starting on the wing and Myles Harrison, Lewis Brown and Harry Bardle... ...Read The Article

Knights knocked out by rampant Rovers

Saturday 21st September - Betfred Championship

Published: 22 September, 2019 - 1:19 pm

York City Knights fairytale season came to an end in the autumnal sunshine at Bootham Crescent on Saturday afternoon as Featherstone Rovers cruised to a 4-30 victory to progress to week 3 of the Betfred Championship play-offs. The 2018 League 1 Champions surpassed all expectations by finishing the regular season in third place, but the high intensity of the play-offs proved to be one step too far for James Ford’s battered squad. Featherstone meanwhile appear to be hitting their straps at just the right time with their second convincing away victory in as many weeks. Featherstone named an unchanged 17... ...Read The Article

Toulouse flair sees off Knights in maiden play off

Saturday 14th September - Betfred Championship

Published: 16 September, 2019 - 5:55 pm

By Peter Martini, for the York Press Toulouse Olympique maintained their ascendancy over York City Knights this year as James Ford’s injury-hit troops were unable to suppress the flamboyant French flair in the opening Betfred Championship play-off. The two league matches could have gone either way, with Toulouse edging both and ultimately finishing one point and one place above the Knights in second spot in the table. At 44-6, though, this victory was more clear-cut, with the home team underlining their ability to score from anywhere on the field with a glut of terrific tries. When it goes wrong, such enterprising play... ...Read The Article

Knights finish regular season with victory at Halifax

Sunday 8th September - Betfred Championship

Published: 8 September, 2019 - 7:37 pm

York City Knights rounded off a fairytale Betfred Championship season by coming from behind to beat a spirited Halifax in the September sunshine at Shay Stadium and confirm a third place finish. The Knights were backed by several hundred loud and proud fans resplendent in Hawaiian fancy dress helped create a carnival atmosphere in the stands as they celebrated one of the most successful seasons in recent York RL history. Head Coach James Ford made 2 changes from the team that won at Leigh last weekend, with Jack Teanby and Liam Salter replacing Kriss Brining and Joe Porter. York got... ...Read The Article

Knights leapfrog Leigh in Championship thriller

Sunday 1st September - Betfred Championship

Published: 2 September, 2019 - 11:00 am

For the second time in 2019 York City Knights edged out Leigh Centurions by a single point, winning a thrilling game 23-24 at Leigh Sports Village in Autumnal sunshine and showers to leapfrog their opponents into third place heading into the final weekend of the Betfred Championship regular season. Head Coach James Ford made four changes to the team that beat Featherstone two weeks ago, with Liam Salter out due to the head injury suffered against Fev, and Perry Whiteley sidelined after a minor operation on a non-rugby related issue. Jack Teanby and Ronan Dixon also missed out due to not quite... ...Read The Article

Knights make play-offs with Rovers Revenge in Retro Round

Sunday 18th August - Betfred Championship

Published: 19 August, 2019 - 2:45 pm

York City Knights confirmed their place in the Betfred Championship play-offs for the first time in their history with a resilient 22-18 victory over in-form Featherstone Rovers at Bootham Crescent yesterday. A fantastic crowd of 3,115 were present – with the vast majority celebrating the special ‘Retro Round’ theme by wearing all kinds of weird, wonderful and classic shirts from a bygone era – and they were treated to another all-time classic encounter between the two Yorkshire rivals. This 17th victory of the Championship season now matches the 17 wins that York managed to earn in their previous four seasons... ...Read The Article