🤝 With thanks to our Match Day Partner, Roofing Addiction!
York Knights went out of the Betfred Challenge Cup at the third round stage, losing 44-2 to Hull KR at the LNER Community Stadium.
It was a valiant performance from the Knights, who were tested by a full strength Hull KR side after coach, Willie Peters named a team that will likely start their Super League campaign next week.
Although York took the lead with an early penalty, try scoring chances were limited as Rovers took control of the scoreboard, despite plenty of hard work in defence from Mark Applegarth's side.
York opened the scoring, after a big tackle from the Knights’ hooker, Paul McShane on his opposite number, Michael McIlorum led to a scuffle. Both captains were spoken to before York were awarded a penalty 20 metres out from the Rovers line. Will Dagger stepped up and got the Knights off the mark.
It was almost a quarter of an hour into the game before Rovers had a real chance in York’s 10 metre area. Consecutive sets, followed by a penalty which Rovers elected to run tested the Knights, but somehow they kept their line in tact.
As weather conditions worsened, the Knights spilled a high ball and Rovers were set again in a good position. Eventually the pressure told, and Mikey Lewis forced his way in at the corner for the first try of the game. Rhyse Martin missed the conversion from the touchline.
Martin made amends a few minutes later by scoring his first try for the Robins, crawling out of a tackle and over the try line. This time, he was accurate with the boot and tagged on the two points.
Peta Hiku was next to score, spinning out of a tackle as the Knights again had faced pressure on their own line. Martin again converted.
Just before the break, the Knights had their best chance, sweeping the ball out to the left only for Oli Field to be brought down just short of the try line.
Despite trailing by 14 points at half time, the Knights left the field with their fans on their feet showing appreciation for their efforts against last season's Super League Grand Finalists.
Rovers were first to score after the break, again putting back to back sets on the York line. This time, Tom Davis was on the end of a move to score a converted try on his Rovers debut.
Moments later, Joe Brown went close for York, plucking an Ata Hingano kick out of the air, only to be penalised as he went to touch the ball down. However it was a sign the Knights were still prepared to stay in the battle despite the gap on the scoreboard slowly increasing.
York did manage to put some pressure on the Rovers line before the Robins scored again. A flowing move up field saw Lewis the provider for Martin to score his second. This time, the conversion attempt was narrowly wide of the upright.
Niall Evalds extended the lead for Rovers, with a converted try, before Lewis added his second, going in beneath the posts.
Kelepi Tanganoa was put through a gap from 10 metres out for Rovers final try before Joe Brown again went close for York, but Hull KR’s defence proved too strong to crack.
York: Dagger, Brown, Buchanan, Field, Harrison, Hingano, Harris, Martin, McShane, Thompson, Dee, Bailey, Gannon
Subs (all used): Santi, Teanby, Cook, Fitzsimmons
18th Player: Pemberton
Tries: None
Goals: Dagger (1/1)
Hull KR: Evalds, Davis, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Lewis, May, Sue, McIlorum, Waerea-Hargreaves, Martin, Batchelor, Minchella
Subs (all used): Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Tanginoa
18th Player: Brown
Tries: Lewis (24,70), Martin (29, 55), Hiku (37), Davies (47), Evalds (65), Tanginoa (75)
Goals: Martin (6/8)
