York Knights pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent memory as they stunned treble winners Hull KR 19-18 on Thursday night.
Here’s our talking points.
Take a bow York
What a result for the Super League new boys. They made Hull KR work for everything they got on a cold and rainy night in York and they got their rewards by pulling off one of the biggest shocks Super League has ever seen.
They were good value for it, too. This was no smash and grab as Mark Applegarth’s side stunned the treble winners, made them pay for errors and showcased their ability to slice open last season’s most fierce defensive line to give themselves the perfect start to life in the top flight.
The Knights opened the scoring on the night as Sam Wood shocked the visitors to score the opening try of the new Super League season.
York deserved the lead and gave as they good as they got for large periods of the game, too, as KR, perhaps with one eye on the World Club Challenge, struggled to fire. Jai Whitbread eventually got them on the scoreboard, but a Liam Harris penalty ensured it was all square at 6-6 at the interval.
The Knights continued to push but KR took advantage of a six again to touch down through Whitbread once more. Sauaso Sue added another as he hit a crash ball to touch down under the posts.
However, taking advantage of a six again of their own, York pulled one back with 15 minutes to go as a double pump from Harris put Wood over the line.
And, when Scott Galeano touched down to level the scores with just a few minutes left, the stage was set for Ata Hingano to kick the one-pointer and send the York crowd wild.
Mikey Lewis brain explosion
The Robins were 18-6 up when Lewis committed a foul that could be said to have cost his side the game. The half-back could be seen tripping Liam Harris unnecessarily to give away a penalty and see his side reduced to 12 men for 10 minutes.
York went up the other the end and made the most of the overlap to score through Sam Wood. And, with their tails up, they had the momentum to score the points they needed to provide the biggest shock in recent memory.
Hadley blow
KR were dealt a blow before the Super League season even got underway as Dean Hadley pulled out of the warm-ups at the LNER Community Stadium.
The forward was due to start in the front row on the night but was withdrawn as a precaution after reporting a rib niggle. Head coach Willie Peters will be asked about the forward’s situation this evening but it was likely a decision made with the World Club Challenge in mind.
Jack Brown came in to start the contest in Hadley’s absence.
Peters will have had his heart in his mouth when Jez Litten left the field after taking a blow to the head in the opening tackle of the game. Fortunately for the Robins, though, he passed his HIA.
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Discipline
The opening game of the season was not a pretty one and it’s fair to say Liam Rush was the busiest man on the field as both sides struggled their discipline and the new ruck rules. Hull KR gave away nine penalties in the first half alone, but it was York who gave away the most six agains, with KR punishing them on two occasions to touch down.
Lewis might well be a man sweating come Monday’s Match Review Panel verdict, too, with the half-back set to be handed a charge for a silly trip on Liam Harris. He isn’t thought to have any disciplinary points to his name, but a big charge could put him out of the World Club Challenge. He was sin binned for his actions on the night.
A stage fit for Super League
The LNER Community Stadium was rocking on Thursday night as York turned out to cheer on the city’s only top flight professional sports team. York’s ground holds 8,500 and at least 8,000 seats were taken on the night.
Of course, KR brought a huge following from East Yorkshire, but the Knights still had the majority just about and they certainly made some noise. A great addition to the top flight.
