Hull KR 32, Knights 0

But Hull KR did at Craven Park yesterday as they booked their place in the Arriva Trains Cup final.

It signalled the end of the cup dream for Richard Agar's men, but rather than bemoan a fall at the penultimate hurdle, York fans should be proud of their team's feats.

Not even the most optimistic supporters could have expected a Challenge Cup quarter-final against Super League opposition and an Arriva Trains Cup semi-final against National League One giants, not to mention the memorable moments along the way.

However, yesterday's Humber bridge was one too far.

With a host of enforced absentees - last week's injury to key loose-forward Damian Ball being particularly damaging - the Knights had to bring back departed Aussie Mark Stewart for a one-off game before he returned down under, as well as Tom Andrews, who likewise hadn't been near the club for weeks, just to make up the numbers.

Stewart gave his all as usual but Andrews got injured in the warm-up, making the efforts to get him back immaterial and leaving Agar with only 16 men and without forward firepower on the bench.

For those who believe in omens, York also had to contend with a hoodoo which hadn't allowed them to win at Rovers for years.

And all that's before regard is given to the Robins' performance, which comprised a vigour that belied their reported lack of self-belief.

Their defence was especially impressive and, while Agar's men lacked the creativity which has delivered nearly 800 points this year, credit must go to the home barrier, the best the Knights have faced this term.

On top of that, referee Colin Morris at times played an ill-starring role; his penalty count was not one-sided but crucial decisions at crucial times went against the Knights.

It all added up to a 32-0 defeat for York - a wholly unflattering scoreline - and left them to ponder what might have been.

However, the standard of the match gave them a glimpse of what they can look forward to should their real aim this season - promotion from National League Two - be fulfilled.

And the silver lining on defeat is the fact they can now concentrate on that campaign without cup interruptions and injuries.

Rovers set their stall out early, going ahead when Tommy Gallagher sent in Dale Holdstock, Lynton Stott goaling and adding another two-pointer following debatable refereeing.

Great work by winger Austin Buchanan set up the Knights' first real attack, which ended with Craig Forsyth held up over the line, and, although York kept the hosts pinned back, their defence continued to hold firm.

Rovers didn't break upfield as often as the scoreline suggests but tended to look troublesome whenever they did, having one try ruled out before an uncharacteristic howler from Nathan Graham saw them validly extend their lead.

The full-back tried to shepherd behind a hack forward only for Frank Watene to charge up and reach the touchdown. It was a rare mistake by Graham and left the Knights with a mountain to climb.

Buchanan almost scaled his own Everest with a monumental 85-yard run, beating man after man after man, but he was denied the try of all-time when hauled into touch two yards short.

Fellow winger Scott Walker saved a try at the other end with ultra-rapid cover defence but, while the Knights trailed on the scoreboard, they were matching their hosts in general play, forcing Rovers into mistakes.

However, what they couldn't force was a way through, with their play in the last third lacking a cutting edge, and the match painfully drifted away from them after the break.

Yusuf Sozi dropped the kick-off and, within three minutes, York were 22-0 down, Stott kicking a controversial penalty and goaling the try of the match finished by Scott Thorburn.

The Knights thereafter began to lose a bit of discipline, though what they didn't lack was effort.

They put in - and received - some massive hits which rocked midfield with such ferocity that a few residents of Humberside reported minor earthquakes.

But with no forward power on the bench, front-rowers Sozi, Craig Forsyth and the non-stop John Smith had too much on their plate, while the team as a whole were forced to play risky rugby in desperation.

It nearly paid off with an off-the-cuff attack that ended with Chris Langley just failing to reach Walker's miracle pass on the line, yet it back-fired when a Danny Brough pass was picked off, Nick Pinkney finishing an 80-metre breakaway.

Rovers, meanwhile, looked increasingly confident, with Paul Mansson's try flattering them even more, while York's luck was summed up when Stewart darted through only to lose his footing when trying to step past the last man close to the line.

Hull KR: Poucher, Pinkney, Parker, Golden, Stott, Mansson, Hasty, Aizue, Pickering, Aston, Holdstock, Seibold, Gallagher. Subs (all used): Thorburn, Andrews, Watene, Fletcher.

Tries: Holdstock 2; Watene 24; Thorburn 48; Pinkney 60; Mansson 65.

Conversions: Stott 2, 24, 48, 60.

Penalties: Stott 6, 42.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None

Sent off: None.

Knights: Graham 6, Buchanan 8, Langley 7, Wood 7, Walker 8, Rhodes 6, Brough 6, Forsyth 7, Jackson 8, Sozi 6, Callaghan 6, J Smith 7, Friend 7. Subs (all used): Stewart 7, Cain 7, Kama 7. Not used: Andrews.

Tries: None.

Conversions: None.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None

Sent off: None.

Man of the match:

Austin Buchanan - showed why he was named National League Two player of the month 48 hours earlier with a wonderful winger's display. Just pipped Lee Jackson to man of the match.

HT: 14-0

Referee: Colin Morris (Huddersfield)

Rating: York had a difficult enough job as it was - and several crucial decisions made it even harder.

Penalty count: 9-12

Gamebreaker: The two scores within eight minutes of the restart indicated no comeback was afoot.

Attendance: 2,629.

Weather watch: Blustery with sunshine and second-half shower.

Match rating: End to end, exciting stuff for most part, but it tailed off in second half as Rovers won with a scoreline that didn't reflect events.

Updated: 10:07 Monday, June 28, 2004