Hunslet 22, Knights 24

Now, if only they could lose the habit of doing things the hard way, then everyone could celebrate without fearing a coronary, feeling their hair fall out, or chewing nails to the knuckle.

Knights supporters took over South Leeds Stadium yesterday and witnessed the latest in a long line of heart-stopping stories stolen from the script of a comic-book cliffhanger.

In fact, scriptwriters would have been sacked for over-complicating the plot.

Firstly, the basics. The Knights staged another remarkable comeback, from 22-0 down to win 24-22 with a late penalty and thus make sure of the sole promotion spot. But that was not enough.

There was Hunslet's disallowed try in seven minutes of terrifyingly nerve-racking stoppage time, a try which would have sustained York's unbearably stressful wait for the title.

Then there was the handling error that denied Hawks centre Anthony Gibbons a match-winner when the line was begging.

On top of all that, there was Lee Jackson hoping to end his illustrious career on a high after last year's play-off agony.

There was Dan Potter, who needed two tries to reach a career century - and hit the three-figure mark with a brace of wonderful scores, including the all-important leveller.

And then there was Lee Paterson, the York-born ace who, despite his terrific efforts all season, has not scored this year and may yet have to endure the end-of-season forfeit that awaits any player who goes through a campaign try-less.

With regular goalkickers Paul Thorman and Jon Liddell off injured and Chris Ross not involved, Paterson was given the responsibility of booting the equalising conversion and, with seven minutes left, the match-winning penalty. The 24-year-old, though, held his nerve while everyone in the stand was in tatters.

Unfortunately, there was also the horrific-looking injury to Hunslet's Danny Cook, who was stretchered off in the second half in a brace after lengthy treatment on the field. It was a horrible moment which kept things in perspective, as did the ovation he got from all the players and supporters of both teams - though there was otherwise little love lost between the sides.

York's comeback began just before half-time. Tries from Wayne Freeman, Gareth Naylor, Cook and Chris North, plus three conversions from dangerman Jamaine Wray, put Hunslet 22-0 up, with the Knights also losing Jon Liddell to injury seconds after entering the fray.

York's tackling had been indifferent and their attack unstructured, albeit against an eager defence which included several high tackles that referee Gareth Hewer punished with nothing more than a penalty.

But when Hewer at last decided enough was enough and sin-binned Andy Shickell for persistent fouling, great hands by Scott Rhodes, Matt Blaymire and Joe Helme put Potter in, Thorman goaling.

It was soon 13 versus 11 as Gibbons was sin-binned for another high tackle and the Knights took advantage as Darren Callaghan and Paterson put Neil Law over. Then another high tackle set up the position for Blaymire to go over from dummy-half, Thorman goaling, just as Hunslet went back up to 13.

Wray missed a penalty and Mark Moxon a drop-goal attempt as Hunslet tried to stall the comeback but a great off-load sent Potter away to play a one-two with Peter Fox and score his memorable 100th try.

York were much better in the second half albeit without getting through six tackles regularly but Hunslet were more error-strewn and, when a penalty for reefing saw Paterson put York ahead for the first time on 73 minutes, the title was in the Knights' fingertips.

Their grip was not so secure, however, as David Gibbons crossed only for the near side touch judge to flag for a forward pass, and then Anthony Gibbons mucked up his chance, amid some panicky tackling reminiscent of last year's play-off final collapse.

That play-off despair, though, can now be properly consigned to history.

Furthermore, we shouldn't be too critical of the Knights' penchant for putting everyone through agony and ecstasy simultaneously - after all, they won the title with two games to spare.

Knights: Blaymire 8, Buchanan 7, Potter 8, Law 7, Fox 7, Rhodes 7, Thorman 7, Forsyth 8, Jackson 8, Helme 8, Smith 8, Kirke 7, Paterson 8. Subs (all used): Elston 8, Liddell, Callaghan 8, Sozi 8.

Tries: Potter 39, 60; Law 44; Blaymire 51.

Conversions: Thorman 39, 51; Paterson 60.

Penalties: Paterson 73.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Hunslet: Rayner, North, A Gibbons, Naylor, Brent, D Gibbons, Moxon, Staveley, Wray, Pryce, W Freeman, A Shickell, Redfearn. Subs (all used): Cass, Bastow, Cook, Cummins.

Tries: Freeman 3; Naylor 7; Cook 19; North 34.

Conversions: Wray 7, 19, 34.

Penalties: None.

Drop goals: None.

Sin-binned: A Shickell 38, A Gibbons 41.

Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Yusuf Sozi - all three props were excellent and Sozi had a huge impact on the game making hard yards.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven).

Rating: Had a particularly hard job and struggled to maintain control.

Penalty count: 10-12.

HT: 22-6.

Gamebreaker: The decision by the touch judge to rule out Hunslet's stoppage time try for a forward pass.

Attendance: 1,250 est.

Weather watch: Hot with the kind of sun that gives you a headache.

Match rating: Has anyone got a normal pulse yet?

Coach Cook's verdict: "It was a bit of a nerve-wracker to win it and local psychiatrists will probably have lots of business from supporters.

"But the players always stuck together and when they did start playing they are more than capable."

Updated: 11:34 Monday, August 22, 2005