IT wasn't the best display by York City Knights, but they didn't half look good when going forward.

Paul Broadbent's men left their minds in the changing rooms at half-time, were on the back foot for periods, especially in the second half, and chucked a few basic errors into their game.

But that's where the criticism ends, for the Knights again defended their line admirably and worked hard up front. And when they attacked with gusto, the Eagles were blown away, Knights running out 32-18 victors.

Although Sheffield are not on a par with Hull KR, Doncaster, Featherstone and Dewsbury - York's other opponents in the Arriva Trains Cup East section - they will almost certainly be up there in Division Two. And for York to secure their first Arriva Trains Cup double in the style they did bodes well for the National League campaign.

Trevor Krause was again at the hub, prompting, probing and darting from his favourite position of hooker.

The Aussie, although virtuous at scrum-half, has had his best two games for the Knights when wearing the number nine shirt, a fact which will leave Broadbent with a decision to make once regular hooker Lee Jackson returns to fitness.

That poser will be made trickier by the arrival of Scott Rhodes from Dewsbury, for he gave a stirring display at scrum-half, full of zip, against his former club.

Indeed, Rhodes' debut could not have begun better.

After three minutes his sharp pass to Broadbent saw the ball quickly moved on to Mark Cain, who notched his fifth try in five games.

Three minutes later, Rhodes scored a wonderful individual try, skipping outside one man, dummying past another and showing great pace to out-sprint full-back Andy Poynter to the corner from 35 metres.

York also gave first games to loanees Andy Burland, who came off the bench to bulldoze in at prop, and Adam Thaler, who had a sure-footed game at stand-off and marked his debut with four conversions.

At 10-0, York appeared to be cruising. But it was not so, as they needed full-back Chris Smith to react first to Gareth Stanley's grubber, and then had a luckier escape in the next set when Ian Thompson's try down the left was ruled out for a forward pass.

Good luck soon turned bad for York as they were denied twice themselves by misfortune.

Firstly, Thaler's 40-20 set up the position for an attack led by Smith, who gave Chris Beever what seemed a scoring pass, only for the ball, slightly ahead of the winger, to go to ground.

Secondly, Mick Ramsden skipped through and side-stepped Poynter at pace with the line in sight, only for the full-back to stick out an arm and somehow take the ball.

Then, worst of all, Cain was stretchered off with a knee injury.

However, the hosts, and in particular Ramsden, were not going to be denied and on 38 minutes, after solid rugby had taken the ball forward, Krause cleverly switched play at acting-half and Ramsden charged over from eight yards.

York's 16-0 half-time lead lasted barely 30 seconds into the second period.

Burland dropped the ball in the tackle and the scrambling defence then failed as centre Tony Weller - an Aussie schoolteacher making his first start for Sheffield - crossed down the right. Gavin Brown converted from the touchline, though he thereafter missed easier targets.

A Krause break had brought York's only attack of the second half by the time Weller crossed again, handing off Gavin Molloy - who had earlier done well under pressure - to stretch over, and it was game on.

But on 54 minutes, York woke up in style. Fine running rugby saw Smith held up inches short, with Krause jinking over from acting half.

The Knights were now back on song and Fletcher, after taking a great pass, fed Smith - a player who really excites the York crowd whenever he gets the ball - to score.

At 28-10 it was game over but Sheffield came back with a fine team try of their own, Gavin Brown scoring down the left, albeit after two basic errors by the Knights - Darren Robinson's penalty not reaching touch and then Craig Westmoreland, with no communication, running the sixth tackle just inside the Eagles' half.

Nevertheless, York's prowess at the other end returned to the fore as Beever made a 50-yard break from his own ten metres. The ball was switched left to powerful centre Lloyd, who bounced one man off and took two more with him to the line, where he stretched out a big hand.

Another York penalty failed to find touch, which provided the platform for a last-minute score for Craig Brown, but that was little consolation to the Eagles, who are now virtually guaranteed bottom spot in the ATC table.

Knights: Smith 7, Beever 7, Lloyd 7, Callaghan 7, Molloy 6, Thaler 7, Rhodes 8, Broadbent 7, Krause 8, Hayes 7, Ramsden 8, Fletcher 7, Cain 7.

Subs (all used): Robinson 6, Westmoreland 6, Burland 6, Bolus 6.

Tries: Cain 3, Rhodes 6, Ramsden 38, Krause 54, Smith 58, Lloyd 72.

Cons: Thaler 3, 38, 54, 58.

Pens: None.

DG: None.

Sheffield: Poynter, Hurst, Weller, Turnbull, Thompson, Reilly, G Brown, Howieson, Stanley, Bruce, Goddard, C Brown, Tillyer.

Subs (all used): Flynn, Raleigh, Angus, Stringer

Tries: Weller 41, 49, G Brown 68, C Brown 79.

Cons: G Brown 41.

Pens: None.

DG: None.

Man of the match: Trevor Krause - made several breaks and always keeps everyone on their toes around the ruck.

Ref: Michael Dawber (Wigan)

Penalty count: 9-7

HT: 16-0

Attendance: 987

Updated: 10:36 Monday, March 31, 2003