York City Knights 62 - Blackpool Panthers 6

Blackpool Panthers coach Martin Crompton has built a reputation for fining errant players who give away unnecessary penalties in a game. It is therefore hoped that the club fines monitor has a abacas in working order after this debacle in North Yorkshire. A penalty count of 19-5 against, gave the Panthers little chance against the rampant Knights. To compound matters at one stage the Panthers had two men in the sin bin giving the hosts a two man advantage as they ran in more tries against a overwhelmed defence.

York demolished the Panthers at the Woodlands in April, but the recent form of both teams suggested a close encounter. York had in fact lost recently to London whom Blackpool had beaten only last week. This optimism was not to last long however. By the time Casey Mayberry had scored a fine try in the corner converted by Chris Forster in the 14th minute, the hosts had already breached the Panthers defence twice and two further tries before the 18th minute left York out of sight. All four of York’s early tries were the result of slick ball work that left the Panthers defence clutching at thin air. David March, Clayton, Sullivan and Dayville all raced over in this period, three being converted by the impressive Adam Mitchell.

The Panthers defended gamely against a mounting penalty count and the only other score before the interval saw full back Danny Ratcliffe romp over for a try converted by Mitchell to leave the hosts well in command at 28-6 at half time.

The second half is easily forgotten as the Knights blew the struggling Panthers away scoring at will with further tries from Hodgson (2), Ekis, Ratcliffe, Applegarth and Bailey, four being converted by Mitchell to give him a personal tally of 9 conversions from 11 attempts. The two tries by Hodgson summed up the Panthers efforts as he dived over on both occasions from the play the ball without a defender in sight.

Can you find a positive from this showing ?, the answer is surprisingly yes. Giant French prop Gregory De La Rosa on his debut, came from the substitutes bench and gave the Panthers some weight and power up front. His endeavours however did result in a 10 minute spell in the sin bin as he took the fight to the opposition with more vigour than the referee permitted.

An overall bad day for the Panthers who must now regroup for Sunday’s home clash with runaway leaders Barrow.