Challenge Cup: York City Knights 26 - 20 Rochdale Hornets

Photo: Mark Harris

York City Knights v Rochdale Hornets

Hornets went out of the Challenge Cup to lower division opposition after a dour display against York City Knights.

For 30 minutes of the first half Hornets were shockingly poor - it took 13 minutes before a Hornets player actually got hands on ball.

Hornets Achilles heel, giving away soft penalties, cost them dear.

However, they pulled two tries and goals back in the latter stages of the half but still went in eight points behind as York increased thier lead with a converted try right on the stroke of half time.

Hornets started the second half well pinning York in their own half and the pressure paid as Hornets drew level with two unconverted tries.

However, with the rain suddenly lashing down at Bootham Crescent, York took advantage of poor Hornets handling and with just five minutes left to play scored the winning try and goal.

York opened the scoring when Ed Smith reached a Jon Presley kick to put the Knights in front. Harry Tyson-Wilson added the extras.

Harry Tyson-Wilson increased York's lead from the third penalty Hornets had gifted.

Hornets were making it very hard on themselves as another one-sided penalty count started to build - Hornets pulled again, not square at the ruck.

York capitalised from yet another penalty when Joe Batchelor touched down having been the first to react to Harry Tyson-Wilson's kick. Tyson-Wilson successful with his third conversion of the game.

Hornets were still way off the mark as Jordan Case knocked on 30 metres out from his own line and York got another chance to attack, but Hornets were let off the hook as York had the ensuing try pulled back.

With thirty minutes gone, and against the run of play, Hornets finally opened their account - Miles Greenwood diving on Palfrey's last tackle kick. Palfrey added the two from in front of the posts.

Within minutes Hornets had doubled their try count. A towering bomb from Palfrey wasn't dealt with by the York defence and Chris Riley was the first to react and cross the line. Palfrey was good with the boot to bring Hornets within two points of York with just minutes to half time.

Hornets thought they had taken the lead only for the try to be pulled back after the referee conferred with his touch judge.

The Hornets purple patch was short-lived and York piled sustained pressure on the Hornets defence.

The pressure told and Joe Porter crashed over on the stroke of half time. Harry Tyson-Wilson kicked to give York an eight point lead at half time.

Half time: York City Knights 20 - 12 Rochdale Hornets

Hornets pinned York back immediately from the start of the second half and the early pressure appeared to have paid off, but two Hornets tries were pulled back.

The next Hornets try did count as Lewis Galbraith found a way around his opposite number and fed Rob Massam who strolled in to score. Palfrey sliced the kick but Hornets were now just four points behind.

Hornets continued to turn the screw and fast hands saw Chris Riley put Hornets back on level terms scoring on Hornets right wing. Palfrey with the opportunity to give Hornets the lead but pulled what to be fair was a difficult kick.

With a sudden deluge engulfing Bootham Crescent conditions became very difficult with both sides struggling to keep hold of the ball.

With just minutes left on the clock, York scored the decisive winning try. Hornets knocked on on their own line and Joe Batchelor crashed over from close range. Harry Tyson-Wilson kept his 100% record for the game with the kick.

Hornets out at the first time of asking and League One York City Knights delighted to find themselves in the fifth round draw.

York Knights: Liam Harris, Ben Dent, Nev Morrison, James Haynes, Tommy Saxton, Jonny Presley, Harry Tyson-Wilson, Ronan Dixon, Andy Ellis, Adam Robinson, Joe Batchelor, Ed Smith, Tim Spears, Harry Carter, Bobby Tyson-Wilson, Keiran Moran.

Rochdale Hornets: Myles Greenwood, Chris Riley, Jack Holmes, Lewis Galbraith, Robert Massam, Lewis Palfrey, Danny Yates, Samir Tahraoui, Ben Moores, Gavin Benion, Jonathon Smith, Josh Crowley, Ryan Maneely, Jo Taira, Matty Hadden.

Referee: B Robinson
Touch Judges: S Kilpatrick and M Wilson