THE half-time talk in the York City Knights' changing rooms must make interesting listening.

It might even be an idea for someone to record it and sell it as a motivational tool to raise funds for the club because whatever is said, it obviously works wonders.

Having turned on the style in the second period against Keighley Cougars in their last match a fortnight ago only to be left with too much to do, York went one better against Barrow Border Raiders as they finally chalked up their first-ever league win.

Having trailed 18-10 at the break, the Knights ran in three tries - realistically they could have scored at least three more - slotted over a drop goal and limited their hosts to a solitary penalty during the second half to finish 27-20 victors.

The result was fully justified as the Knights produced a spirited display and barring a 15-minute spell in the first half when they allowed Barrow to dominate the play, they were always in control.

However, the introduction off the bench of former Great Britain international Lee Jackson, missing for so long through sciatica, provided the spark to inspire York out of that lull, and it is no coincidence that while he was on the field, the Knights won 27-8.

York had opened the game up well and were within inches of scoring in the ninth-minute when Leigh Deakin went over in the corner only for the referee to rule he had put a foot in to touch.

However, there was no doubt for Barrow a minute later, as the home side crossed through Chris Archer. Jamie Smith was allowed to twist and turn down the right flank and although Chris Smith finally got a hand on the centre, the ball was flicked inside for Archer to score. Tane Manihera converted.

It was 12-0 after 17 minutes, with Smith again to the fore as he left three would-be York tacklers for dead to race through to give Manihera an easy conversion.

It was all too much for Broadbent to watch as he brought first Jackson and then Darren Callaghan on and the move worked dividends. Callaghan had only been on the field for 20 seconds when he received the ball from Jackson and he was gifted the freedom of Craven Park as the Barrow defence parted for him to charge through on 22 minutes.

Law could have added to the York tally when he took Scott Fletcher's pass on the charge only to fail to control the ball after crossing the line.

And Barrow made the visitors pay as they extended their lead on 36 minutes with the talented Smith the chief instigator. His side-step took him past two defenders before Jamie Marshall flicked the ball for James King to score. Manihera converted.

Unfazed, York pulled themselves back into the match with Law this time managing to keep hold as he powered over. The impressive Fletcher, a menace to Barrow throughout, left the home side in his wake before feeding the ball to Law, who had the pace and power to cross. Danny Brough's conversion made it 18-10 at the break.

Any fears half-time had come at the wrong time and would hamper York's momentum were quickly eased as the Knights produced a second-half performance full of energy and creativity.

Former Otley RU winger Law was over again three minutes after the interval as he powered through a static Barrow defensive line that had been caught out by York's decision to run on the last tackle.

And York could have at least gone level on 46 minutes when Scott Rhodes sliced through the Barrow defence, but with the try-line beckoning, his attempted pass to Jackson went well a stray.

But the travelling York fans didn't have long to wait though as Brough showed superb awareness to score a try and tag on the extras to put the Knights 20-18 up. Geoff Luxon was caught trying to scoop up Manihera's pass and Brough fly-hacked the loose ball ahead and got a kind bounce to touch down under the posts.

Barrow twice had chances to responded, but were guilty of poor handling as the Knights defence held firm, while Law could have completed his hat-trick on 58 minutes after he had done the hard work of beating two defenders, but as he stretched out his arm to score the ball was knocked loose and the chance had gone.

That missed look like it could have been costly as Barrow pulled level with a Manihera penalty, but York were soon back across the white-wash - albeit with a bit of luck. Rhodes' kick on the last tackle came off a Barrow defender and bounced loose for Fletcher to scoop up and score. Brough added the conversion and then slotted over a drop goal to see York 27-20 infront.

Barrow still looked dangerous and when Manihera broke free and released Andrew Henderson, a certain try looked on the cards, but a superb double tackle from Rhodes and Brough snuffed out the threat, leaving York to celebrate a superb win.

Barrow: Lockhart, Marshall, Smith, McClure, Pate, Manihera, Archer, Liku, Henderson Jackson, King, Luxon, Atkinson.

Subs: Evans, Dancer, Lufton, Devlin.

Tries: Archer 10, Smith 17, King 36

Goals: Manihera 10, 17, 36, 61.

Knights: Smith 7, Blaymire 6, Hallas 6, Law 8, Deakin 7, Rhodes 7, Brough 8, Burland 6, Krause 7, Hayes 8, Ramsden 7, Fletcher 9, Cain 7.

Subs: Jackson 9, Callaghan 8, Broadbent 7.

Not used: Molloy.

Tries: Callaghan 22, Law 39, 43, Brough 49, Fletcher 64.

Goals: Brough 39, 49, 64.

Drop goal: Brough 68.

Man of the match: Scott Fletcher for a powerful, all-action display.

Referee: Steve Addy

Penalty count: 6-5

HT: 18-10

Attendance: 742

Updated: 09:59 Monday, May 26, 2003