YORK CITY KNIGHTS 40 SOUTH WALES SCORPIONS 6

By Ian Golden at Bootham Crescent

 

If Rugby League was split into quarters, one would say that the second quarter performance from York City Knights was the reason they won the game.

 

York notched up 28 of their 40 points between the 19^th and 40^th minutes, and apart from that spell, the game was a fairly even affair, the Welsh going away from the game with a lot of credit and even drew the second half where it was one converted try each.

 

Scorpions started with some good attacking play after winning a penalty from kick-off. Two sets culminated in a cheeky grubber from Gaylor that went a bit too far for anyone to pick up.

 

York scored from their first real attack, in the tenth minute, as, following a penalty, Tyler Craig scored in the corner. Danny Nicklas converted.

 

Scorpions continued to play well for the next ten minutes. Christiaan Roets was solid and kept out a second try, picking up a grubber from Pat Smith, while a Gaylor chip kick almost got to Emanuelli who was pouncing and ready to score. York only just cleared up.

 

York’s second came on 19 minutes when Harry Carter was sent under the sticks by a neat pass. Nicklas’ goal made it 12-0.

 

That opened the floodgates. A good move for York’s third try ended with Josh Tonks running through. Nicklas converted.

 

Kris Brining built on being dummy half and threw up to run in for York’s fourth. Nicklas goal made it 24-0.

 

Two minutes before half-time, Mark Applegarth stormed over for their fifth that Nicklas improved.

 

There was still time for Brining scored his second. Nicklas missed for the first time making it 34-0 at the break.

 

Scorpions’ coach Phil Carleton must have given his players a stern half-time talk as the second stanza was a far more even affair.

 

York scored first, as from a penalty seven minutes after the interval, Pat Smith ran through and Nicklas converted.

 

Scorpions soon struck back after a winning of penalty of their own. Roets using his strength to power over. Emanuelli converted.

 

They were almost over again a number of times. The closest coming when Luke Nelmes was stopped short before a nice bit of magic between Emanuelli and Dai Evans almost led to a try but Evans was forced into touch.

 

York did have a few attacks near to end but a strong Scorpions defence meant that they didn’t cross the line again and it was Phil Carleton who looked happier than his opposite number James Ford at the end, despite the loss.

 

Scorpions’ under 20 side lost 28-24 to the Bridgend Blue Bulls first team at Pyle RFC. Full report to follow.

 

YORK

1              Richard Wilkinson

2              Ben Dent

3              Tyler Craig

4              Brad Hey

5              Austin Buchanan

6              Pat Smith

7              Danny Nicklas

8              Brett Waller

9              Harry Carter

10           Jack Aldous C

11           Josh Tonks

12           Jack Anderson

13           Mike Emmett

SUBSTITUTES

14           Kristian Brining

15           Mark Applegarth

16           Ross Osborne

17           Jordan Crowther

 

TRIES     Tyler Craig           (10)

Harry Carter       (19)

Josh Tonks          (29)

Mark Applegarth              (38)

Kristian Brining  (33, 40)

Pat Smith             (47)

GOALS  Danny Nicklas    (11, 20, 30, 33, 39, 48)

 

SCORPIONS

28           Joe Martin

4              Yannic Parker

22           Christiaan Roets

21           Scott Gregory

5              Dai Evans

30           Billy Gaylor

7              Paul Emanuelli

14           Osian Phillips

24           Zak Williams

10           Izaak Duffy

11           Bradley Hill

3              Kyle Scrivens

13           Chris Vitalini

SUBSTITUTES

8              Chris Davies

17           Mike Connor

19           Kristian Baller

29           Luke Nelmes

 

TRIES     Christiaan Roets               (52)

GOALS  Paul Emanuelli   (52)

 

Attendance: 643

Referee:  Jack Smith

Half-time 34-0