In a season careering out of control for Catalans Dragons, victory at all costs was required in this game – but they were given an almighty test against one of the game’s up-and-coming part‑time sides.
When the full-time hooter sounded and the Dragons had booked their place in the Challenge Cup sixth-round draw on Wednesday their star‑studded squad, who have chronically underperformed throughout 2018, were quick to commend their lower-league opponents.
The French side had endured a ferocious battle, but this was as much about what York City Knights are producing off the field as well as on it.
With the sport’s long-term league structure still unclear, there has been some suggestion of cutting funding to League 1 clubs – perhaps even turning the third-tier amateur league to pump more money into Super League. Never has that myopic approach looked as outrageous as it did here.
While a late surge of tries from Catalans was eventually enough to take the game away from York, the Knights held their own throughout, epitomised by the fact they rounded off the afternoon’s scoring with Joe Batchelor’s consolation try.
“York were good – but we knew that about them before the game,” said the Catalans coach, Steve McNamara.
With two wins from their 11 Super League games so far this season, there is again a very realistic possibility of the Dragons becoming embroiled in a battle against relegation this year. This result at least served as temporary respite from their league troubles as they progressed.
But against a team of painters, estate agents and teachers, that Catalans were victorious by just 12 points underlined that they are indeed in trouble when it comes to the league unless they buck their ideas up, and that York truly played their part in a thrilling cup tie. In front of a raucous, lively crowd greater in size than some seen in Super League this season, this was perhaps the Challenge Cup at its absolute best.
“I’m proud of what the club are doing on and off the field,” York’s coach, James Ford, said. “The buzz building around the city is clear for all to see.”
Catalans took an early lead with tries from Fouad Yaha and Jason Baitieri but they were soon pegged back, with two tries to the York-born forward Joe Porter making it 10-10. But Catalans struck an important blow on the half-time hooter when Mickael Simon put them back ahead.
And while they remained ahead for the rest of the afternoon, they were given more than one or two scares in the second half – not least when, after Lucas Albert capped his own fine display with a try, Kieren Moss reduced the gap to six points on the hour.
Catalans, though, finished the stronger of the two sides and eventually secured victory when Jodie Broughton and Greg Bird scored – but fittingly, York at least had the final say through Batchelor.
Sheens praises Hull KR defence after Oldham rout
On a day when three of the fifth-round ties were won handsomely with the other team failing to score, Tim Sheens praised his Super League side as Hull KR ended a difficult week with a 32-0 win over League One Oldham in the Challenge Cup. The former Australian coach was also pleased by the contribution of competition newcomer Junior Vaivai.
Rovers have been rocked by Thomas Minns’ failed drugs test but Sheens said: “I credit the boys with keeping their heads down and wanting to play tough. The scoreline was to nil and had it been 2-0 I would still have been happy.
Oldham coach Scott Naylor was disappointed by the performance of referee Gareth Hewer who awarded 15 of the game’s 23 penalties against the part-timers and Naylor said: “We just needed a bit of help and the official in the middle didn’t give us any.”
The other teams who finished pointless were Rochdale Hornets, who lost 38-0 against Whitehaven, and London Broncos, 40-0 losers against Leigh Centurions.
In the remaining ties, Featherstone Rovers won 26-16 at Doncaster and Toronto Wolfpack won 16-12 at home to Barrow Raiders.”
Press Association
