MICK Cook will demand huge improvements from his York City Knights side after enduring an ignominious start to his coaching reign at Huntington Stadium.

Cook's team had enjoyed a promising pre-season but were hammered 52-2 away to Castleford in the opening match of the campaign yesterday, the heaviest defeat of the day in the first round of Northern Rail Cup group fixtures.

It was the Knights' worst defeat since they were formed ahead of the 2003 season, topping the 50-12 Challenge Cup loss to Super League side Huddersfield last year, and the most points conceded in a match. It was also only the third time they had failed to cross the whitewash in a game.

They had trailed only 12-2 at half-time but let in eight tries without reply after the break and Cook said: "To collapse like that in the second half was more than disappointing.

"In the first half we had not played particularly well with the ball but we were dogged in defence. We had opportunities to get scores on the board but failed to get the ball in the right places.

"As for the second half, to collapse like that was not acceptable for this team. They're pretty down about it and it shows we've still got a lot of work to do."

Castleford, relegated from Super League last year, have remained full-time and are the favourites for both the cup and LHF Healthplan National League One.

Cook said: "They've got the luxury of training throughout the day, getting extra sessions, but I thought we could have been better than what we were, and the players will go along with that."

The Knights had faced a driving wind and rain in that period but Cook said: "I'm not going to look for excuses for conceding all those tries. It's difficult playing in those conditions but it's the same for both sides.

"We got beat right across the park. They were better at everything they did and we were totally outplayed in the second half.

"We went into the game with some confidence. We knew if we played them in the right areas we would have a good chance but we didn't ask enough questions of them."

He added: "We will have to come back stronger. It's no good moping about it. We need to improve in areas and regroup and get ready for our first home game against Hunslet next Sunday."

Some of York's National League Two rivals enjoyed shock success over NL1 opposition elsewhere on the opening day of the season.

Swinton beat Rochdale 20-14, Workington thumped Whitehaven - runners-up in NL1 last year - 28-8 and perennial strugglers Gateshead, now with former York winger Dean Thomas in charge, shocked NL2 champions Barrow 35-28.

Keighley and new club Blackpool gave Hull KR and Oldham, respectively, a run for their money, while elsewhere in the Knights' group, Hunslet lost only by 20-12 to Featherstone.

Updated: 10:20 Monday, February 14, 2005