York City Knights 26-16 Toronto Wolfpack

York began their Super 8s campaign with a historic win against Toronto Wolfpack at Bootham Crescent.

The Knights ran out winners with a ten-point margin over Toronto who, before today’s match, had been flawless in their 15 league outings during the regular season.

York scored and converted three tries without reply in the first half, as the visitors struggled to get into the game. Jake Butler-Fleming scored the first of York’s tries before Liam Harris scored twice, the second involving a smart dummy by Harris.

Having re-grouped at halftime, Toronto were back within a converted try after just ten second half minutes, as Ryan Brierley and Bob Beswick breached the York defences.

Poor discipline ultimately cost Toronto however, as they failed to capitalise on some good positions and Jack Bussey received a yellow card for repeated infringements. Ashley Robinson put in a perfect kicking performance for York and got a try of his own as they made use of the extra man.

Speaking to Minster FM after the match, coach James Ford reflected on a challenging but successful afternoon:

“You’re not going to get a full 80 minutes your own way against a team as good as Toronto. We knew they would get some momentum and it was really important that we recognised when they did and adjusted how we played to try to fight our way back in there.”

“They scored two really good tries back to back and they looked like a class outfit. We needed to find something deep inside us, individually, as a group and we did. Those 17 blokes have grown as people today and I’m really pleased for them.”

York’s next match is 3pm on Sunday 6th July, away at Keighley Cougars.

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