York Knights picked up their first win of the season in the Betfred Championship after a 23-10 victory against Batley Bulldogs at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.
Playing down the famous slope in the first half, York built a 10 point half time lead, with tries from Joe Law and Liam Harris.
Batley closed the gap to six points in the second half, but a strong defensive show alongside further tries from Jack Martin and Oli Field made sure York got a rare win at Mount Pleasant.
Batley had the better of the early chances, driving for the line from close range, only for Paul McShane, playing in the halves in place of the injured Ata Hingano, to get beneath the ball carrier and prevent a try.
With both sides struggling with handling, it was eventually York who got the first try, Joe Law crossed in the corner on his return from injury, with the last pass coming from a composed Oli Field. Liam Harris couldn’t add the conversion.
Harris did extend the lead a few minutes later, with some typical footwork to beat the defence from around 10 metres out and cross beneath the posts, giving him an easier conversion. The goal built a 10-0 lead going into half time, with a second half playing up the hill to follow.
Batley scored early after the break, when Robbie Butterworth was put through a gap around 40 metres out and got around Joe Brown to close the deficit. Josh Woods missed the conversion.
Shortly afterwards, the Knights hit back through Jack Martin, who took four defenders over the line with him to score what was a crucial try and restore a 10 point advantage. Harris extended that with another goal right in front of the sticks.
The Knights then looked to have scored again, only for Field’s effort to be ruled out for a forward pass in the build up.
Instead, the exchange of tries continued with Batley next on the scoreboard. Brad Martin slipped through two defenders, and with the conversion from Woods, York’s lead was cut to six points with 10 minutes remaining.
With just five minutes to go, York took a step towards securing the points, when the ball was shipped back to Harris, who slotted over a drop goal despite pressure from the Batley defenders.
Moments later, a piece of magic from McShane led to Field going in for a deserved try, converted by Harris, to seal a hard earned win.
Batley: Butterworth, Render, Myers, Greensmith, Burton, White, Woods, Brown, Parsons, Gledhill, Arundel, Martin, Moore
Subs: Peposhi, Leak, Ward, Thomas (all used)
18th Player: Dean
Tries: Butterworth (51), Martin (68)
Goals: Woods (1/2)
York: Brown, Jones-Bishop, Buchanan, Field, Law, McShane, Harris, Martin, Cook, Clark, Dee, Bailey, Thompson
Subs: Pemberton, Teanby, Santi, Reynolds (all used)
18th Player: Ferreira
Tries: Law (24), Harris (31), Martin (57), Field (78)
Goals: Harris (3/4)
Drop Goal: Harris (75)
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