Doncaster RLFC 16 York City Knights 46

Doncaster RLFC suffered their first defeat of the League One season as York City Knights cruised to a 46-16 win in a feisty Yorkshire derby at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Dons head coach Gary Thornton lost out to his former club YorkDons head coach Gary Thornton lost out to his former club York
Dons head coach Gary Thornton lost out to his former club York

York ran riot in the second half as they claimed a nine-try win.

The visitors had the lead after just two minutes. After conceding a penalty, Dons were undone by some quick York handling, leaving Brad Hey to go over in the corner.

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Danny Nicklas converted superbly from an acute angle and York were 6-0 ahead with Dons having barely touched the ball.

The pressure continued and Knights had their second before the ten minute mark as, for the second successive week, a former Dons player went over for the opposition, Mike Emmett making it 10-0.

Roared on by the home crowd, Dons reacted and after a spell of pressure Matt Welham found the space out wide to put them back in the game.

Shortly afterwards Louis Sheriff scored a try for the third consecutive game out on the right, which was superbly converted by Reece Dean to level matters at 10-10.

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However, the pendulum swung back in York’s favour when Jonny Presley scored their third effort after a good kick through by Ed Smith, followed by another former Dons player Richard Wilkinson re-opening the two-try advantage shortly before half time.

That lead was extended less than ten minutes into the second half as Kriss Brining crashed through the Dons defence.

When Mason Tonks was shown a yellow card for the home side, the visitors were quick to take full advantage with Jordan Crowther going over for York, taking their lead to 10-30.

Joe Picketts-O’Donnell was then shown a yellow card for Dons and the floodgates were open as a third former Dons man Brett Waller powered past a depleted home defence.

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Nicklas was next to power over for York, continuing the theme of ex-Doncaster men claiming tries against their former side.

Crowther added another with four minutes left on the clock as York eased to their second win of the season.

Makali Aizue claimed a late consolation try for Dons.

Dons: Dean, Sheriff, L Welham, Cook, M Welham, Tyson-Wilson, Hedges, Nicholson, Frankland, Aizue, Tonks, Foster, Picketts-O’Donnell SUBS: Cross, Scott, Braham, Walton.

York: Wilkinson, Turner, Morland, Hey, Buchanan, Presley, Niklas, Waller, Carter, Aldous, Mallinder, Smith, Emmett SUBS: Brining, Applegarth, Spiers, Crowther.