Featherstone deserves Yorknights' victory, says Paul Cook

Joe Brown opened up the Knights score shortly after a four minute period before Ben Jones Bishop handed them a 16-0 halftime lead with a double.

But it was two half games as Conor Jones, Caleb Akins, Ryan Hampshire and King Vuniyayawa found a whitewash that added 24 unanswered points to the board, and four furious tries in 18 minutes wreaked havoc and threw momentum.

York delayed the rally, and skipper Liam Harris set up a grandstand finish by trying out a great individual from eight minutes, while Featherstone stuck to his second victory in the championship season.

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It was the first league success of the hosts under former Night Assistant Cook.

“I thought we were second best in all areas in the first half, and I said it during the break,” the head coach told club media.

“I thought they came out with some real intentions we wanted at the start of the game, so I thought they delivered the second half.

“In our second week of running, we were the best team on the field, and although we didn't do well last week, I think we got what we deserve today.

“I am truly proud of all my staff, players and fans, and I am delighted to them, the board of directors and everyone on the club today.

“It was tough, tough, five or six weeks for us. After last week's disappointment, we didn't know how to back up after losing two people, but we thought the players were great in the second half.”

Before kickoff, there was all the smiles between Cook and the Knights boss, Mark Apple Garth. (Image: Craig Hawkhead's photo) It was their performance from the kicking tee that ultimately cost the Featherstone against Oldham last weekend, but Hampshire finished with a 100% record as they found themselves on the right side of this two-point game.

Attacking the slopes in the second half, Cook was happy to see his team respond as he defeated five consecutive league losses and moved to 10th place.

“The first 10 minutes of the first half felt like when we were on top, if we could replicate a little more of a run down the hill, we'd get on top of them,” he explained.

“We don't have to take us up to half the time to come out with more intentions than we wanted.

“In the first half, we were second best in everything, but I'm really happy with the players who got out and did that kind of performance and were able to climb the ladder a little on two points.”