Skirlaugh 8, York City Knights 20

But it was definitely a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show.

For the Knights, following their admirable and exciting display against Hull KR in their inaugural match the previous week, threw in a performance in the 20-8 win against amateurs Skirlaugh Bulls that was at best infuriating.

Some pundits claimed this tie at the Boulevard - Hull FC's former ground was reopened especially - had all the ingredients of a Cup shock. However, the laws of probability, which suggested York would go through, eventually won the day.

Skirlaugh, in the running for the National Conference League premier division championship, the top amateur title, have been playing consistently well since their season began five months ago, while the Knights have barely been in existence for five months.

But professional versus amateur matches in the Challenge Cup only rarely throw up major surprises, and this year's third-round ground-shaker had already happened two days before as Workington Town, from the same division as the Knights, lost 13-12 to Wath Brow Hornets, who usually face the likes of Heworth and York Acorn in NCL division two. Although London Skolars were also added to the list after losing to Halton 15-8.

Nevertheless, it was not plain sailing.

The Knights went ahead early on as Darren Callaghan latched onto Lee Jackson's grubber kick for an all-too-easy touchdown, Graeme Hallas converting, but any ideas they might have had of a cakewalk were rapidly banished.

Within a minute, the Humbersiders scored what seemed to be the equaliser through Paul Hannath, only for the winger to be deemed offside at the point scrum-half Colin Brown grubber-kicked the ball through.

Brown, a former York Wasps number seven, was so incensed at the decision that he earned himself ten minutes in the sin-bin. Nevertheless the Knights took no advantage of the extra man as Skirlaugh kept them on the back foot with a succession of clever grubbers and bombs coupled with enthusiastic chases.

They also forced the visitors into several mistakes and enjoyed several consecutive sets of six - which at least gave York the chance to boost their fitness.

The Knights only got into decent attacking positions three times in the entire half and rarely got past the second or third tackle before an error ended their progress.

However, good defence, allied to some missed chances, restricted the Bulls to only one score, a 29th-minute penalty by Brown, who, after returning to the fray, continually showed his own professional pedigree, going on to notch all of Skirlaugh's points.

Ultimately, though, York's display was good enough to see them through, and for that they can thank the first 16 minutes of the second half in which they scored their remaining 14 points, with substitute Scott Yeaman enhancing his try-scoring reputation with two more touchdowns.

They should also thank the Challenge Cup lawmakers for the rule which allowed Yeaman to play. Although the 20-year-old figured for Skirlaugh in earlier rounds of the competition, the rules state players at pro clubs cannot be cup-tied if their previous participation in that year's competition had been with an amateur outfit.

His first try came after a wonderful break from impressive full-back Chris Beever, who fed the supporting Callaghan, who in turn gave the scoring pass. Hallas converted.

Soon after, a superbly timed short pass from Lee Jackson at acting-half released Yeaman to again cross against his former club. Hallas converted and then added a penalty after a high tackle on workhorse Richie Hayes.

At 20-2 down, Skirlaugh were never going to get into a winning position but again - just like in the first half, when they could have been expected to capitulate after early setbacks - they fought back gamely.

They first saw the Knights' Scott Fletcher, a former amateur with both Skirlaugh and neighbours West Hull, sin-binned for slowing down a play-the-ball when the defence was struggling to recover.

They then saw York reduced further as ex-Hull winger Chris Smith's return to the Boulevard ended 12 minutes early as he was red-carded for landing an elbow, though he later claimed it was accidental.

And while they had the two-man advantage, the hosts twice went close - firstly flapping when they had an overlap and then being denied by a Yeaman try-saver - before finally reducing the arrears as Brown dummied and forced his way over, converting the try himself.

It was no more than the Bulls deserved, yet the touchdown was never likely to signal a comeback.

As for York, it wasn't great - but to be disappointed with a win, the first in the club's history, at the Boulevard is not such a bad thing.

Skirlaugh:

Wiles, Hannath, Elbourne, Bloom, Thacker, Garner, Brown, Last, Batty, Robson, Crane, G Smith, Wildbore.

Subs (all used): Wilson, Kilby, Hill, Sumpton.

Tries: Brown 74.

Cons: Brown: 74.

Pens: Brown 29.

DG: None.

Sin-bin: Brown 5.

Sent off: None.

Knights:

Beever 7, Godfrey 6, Hallas 6, C Smith 6, Molloy 6, Cain 5, Krause 6, Hayes 7, Jackson 7, Kennedy 5, Ramsden 7, Fletcher 6, Callaghan 6.

Subs (all used): Yeaman 6, Lloyd 6, Coleman 6, Bolus 6.

Tries: Callaghan 4; Yeaman 47, 51.

Cons: Hallas, 4, 47, 51.

Pens: Hallas 56.

Sin-bin: Fletcher 65.

Sent off: Smith 68.

Man of the match: Lee Jackson - Sees gaps others don't see. Never stopped working

Referee: Steve Presley

Penalty count: 12-10

HT: 2-6

Attendance: 943

Updated: 10:53 Monday, January 27, 2003