Ruthless Knights rout Raiders: Saturday 11th August - League 1

York City Knights broke yet more records by ruthlessly running in 22 tries against the hapless West Wales Raiders in torrential rain at Stebonheath Park on Saturday afternoon.

The 0-130 scoreline was enough to surpass Bradford Bulls points difference advantage, with the Bulls needing to win at North Wales Crusaders by more than 38 points in order to return to the top of the Betfred League 1 table after Round 21.

0-130 is also a new rugby league world record for an away victory, and Connor Robinson’s 21 successful conversions from 23 attempts is a new club record – a phenomenal achievement given the inclement weather conditions in Llanelli.

The Raiders could only name 14 players in their match day squad, just 4 of which played in the outright world record 144-0 game at Bootham Crescent in April.

Head Coach James Ford named a strong squad and demanded a professional performance from his team in order to keep the pressure on in the title race. Deadline Day signing Perry Whiteley scored a hat trick on debut in place of the rested Brad Hey, and York Acorn product Matt Chilton continues to impress, bagging a hat trick from full back.

It was another former York Acorn star Ash Robson that got the scoreboard ticking after just 90 seconds, completing a hat trick in just 12 minutes and scoring four tries in total. Further first half tries from Sam Scott, Will Jubb, two ties in two minutes for Whiteley, Chilton, Joe Porter, a rare 8 point try for Harry Carter and Josh Jordan-Roberts put the Knights in a commanding position at half time 0-68 up.

The onslaught continued in the second half, kicked off with Whiteley’s hat trick try after just 45 seconds, and continued with tries for Ben Cockayne, Connor Robinson (for a total personal haul of 46 points), a first try in Knights colours for Joel Edwards, Dan Hawksworth who brought up the century, Robson’s fourth, two late tries for Joe Batchelor (his 20th and 21st of the season), and Chilton completing his hat trick.

The Knights now turn their attentions to local rivals Hunslet, who make the short trip to Bootham Crescent next Sunday, 19th August in a huge League 1 clash that could possibly define both team’s seasons…

West Wales Raiders: Karlin Claridge, Lewys Willacott, Kurtis Haile, Rowland Kaye, Liam Silver, Luke Williams, Steve Parry, Rhys Pope, David Kearns, Alan Pope, Archie Snook, Craig Lewis, Callum Mulkeen. Sub: Barrie Phillips.

Tries:

Goals:

York City Knights: Matt Chilton, Ash Robson, Perry Whiteley, Joe Batchelor, Judah Mazive, Ben Cockayne, Connor Robinson, Adam Robinson, Will Jubb, Dan Hawksworth, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Sam Scott, Joel Edwards. Subs (all used): Harry Carter, Graeme Horne, Joe Porter, Jack Ormondroyd.

Tries: Robson (2, 6, 12, 69), Scott (10), Jubb (21), Whiteley (22, 23, 42), Chilton (28, 74, 77), Porter (34), Carter (36, 56), Jordan-Roberts (38), Cockayne (45), C Robinson (53), Edwards (60), Hawksworth (63), Batchelor (71, 78).

Goals: Robinson (21/23)

Attendance: 150 est.

Isaac Poad Man of the Match: Connor Robinson

#WeAreYork150