York Knights picked up their second win of the Betfred Championship season following a 36-12 victory over Barrow at the Northern Competitions stadium.
After a competitive first half, the Knights lead by 6 going into half time, with two tries from Liam Harris, and a try for Barrow from Ryan Johnston, converted by Brad Walker.
The Knights took control of the game in the second half, with tries from Ben Jones-Bishop, Jesse Dee, Jude Ferreira, and a third from Harris meaning the Knights could secure a strong win, despite a Barrow try from Ellis Robson.
Following a close start to the game, it was Harris who broke the deadlock for the Knights, using his pace to sprint down the right wing, where he passed through the Raiders defence and calmly grounded the ball under the sticks, also adding the following conversion.
The Knights were unlucky not to score again just minutes later, with a short inside ball from Thompson slightly ahead of the incoming Santi, who would have likely been through for the try, just 5m from the line.
Barrow got one back a few minutes later through Johnston. After Luke Broadbent found a gap in the Knights defence that left him with a two on one 15m from the line, he passed to Johnston on his right, who crossed over under the posts for the try. Walker added the conversion to tie the score.
Following a cagey first half, Harris gave the Knights the lead with just ten minutes until half time, using his pace to cut through the Raiders defence to score from close range, also adding the conversion.
Dee was denied a try just before the end of the first half, with a forward pass prior to him grounding the ball meaning the Knights went into half time with a 6 point lead.
Early on in the second half, Barrow began to put on the pressure, however a quick thinking Joe Law managed to intercept a Raiders pass and run the ball to around halfway, reducing the Barrow threat.
Just minutes later, Harris completed his hat trick, using some silky footwork to pass through the defence and score in front of the travelling Knights fans. Pemberton added the following conversion.
Barrow struck next through Robson, who forced his way over the line from close range to keep the hosts in contention, with Walker adding on the following conversion to take the score to 12-18.
Hope for a Barrow comeback was short lived however, as Jones-Bishop managed to cross over the whitewash two minutes later to further the Knights lead, with Pemberton adding the extras.
Dee scored next for the Knights, who was able to power his way through the Raiders defence and over the line upon receiving a short drop off pass. Pemberton added the conversion.
Curtis Teare had a decent chance for the home side, breaking through a gap in the Knights defence around halfway, however an excellent tackle from Ferreira prevented the Barrow threat.
With just eight minutes left of the game, the Knights won a penalty in front of the sticks following a Raiders offside, that was calmly put away by Harris.
In the final 3 minutes of the game, Ferreira scored the Knights final try of the game. A short McShane pass to the left allowed him to dive over the line and score in the corner, furthering the Knights lead with a few minutes to go.
The following conversion attempt was just wide, but it didn’t matter, as the Knights secured a strong win at the Northern Competitions Stadium.
Barrow: Broadbent, Bulman, Toal, Teare, Ritson, Bishop, Johnston, Walker, Wood, Brown, Robson, Stack, King
Subs: Smith, B.Walker, Emslie, Pye
18th player: Greenwood
Tries: Johnston (28), Robson (49)
Goals: Walker (2/2)
York: Brown, Jones-Bishop, Buchanan, Field, Law, McShane, Harris, Martin, Cook, Reynolds, Dee, Bailey, Thompson
Subs: Pemberton, Santi, Teanby, Ferreira
18th player: Gannon
Tries: Harris (13, 30, 46), Jones-Bishop (51), Dee (57), Ferreira (77)
Goals: Harris (3/4), Pemberton (3/3)
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