York City Knights 20-12 Sheffield: Five things we learnt

Here are five things we learnt from the LNER Community Stadium.

1. Response delivered after Leigh rout

Given that York had already sealed their place in the Betfred Championship play-offs, it would be wrong to describe the clash with Sheffield as a must-win.

However in terms of building some momentum for the play-offs against a genuine top Championship side and, more importantly, showing a recovery from the embarrassment at Leigh, this felt pivotal.

While it can often be easy to overreact to heavy defeats, there were genuine question marks over whether York could respond from the Leigh hammering.

And though they were not at their thrilling best, the two points were secured and they had to come from behind to take them, a pleasing sign after a run of six defeats from their last eight matches.

2. Goal-line defence the key for York

The two points York earned were largely built on the grit, determination and fight they showed in their goal-line defence.

Having had the better of the first half, the Knights were on the back foot for most of the second period and were regularly defending their own goal-line.

They stood up to the task manfully though and denied a Sheffield side that have scored 70 more league points than themselves this year.

3. Still plenty of work for York to do

As pleasing as the Sheffield win was, there remains a nagging feeling that much more is going to be needed if York are to challenge the rest of the top six in the play-offs.

Against the Eagles, Joel Farrell, rather oddly given his back-rower position, took the goal-kicking duties from the injured Josh Guzdek and was wide with all three of his efforts.

Had a more consistent kicker been available, the Knights may well have found themselves in a more perilous position late on than they had done leading by just four points before James Glover's late try against his former side.

It is also worth putting some context around seventh-placed Sheffield who, while just one spot behind York, have not beaten a top six side all season.

4. Liam Harris is York's best half

For all of York's options at half-back, the most consistent and proven surely has to be Liam Harris, as shown once more against Sheffield.

The number 19 read Brendan O'Hagan grubber to perfection to bag a late first-half try before teeing up Glover's late match-sealing score.

With Jamie Ellis out of favour, O'Hagan have started in less than half of this season's league games due to injury and Ata Hingano looking set for a prolonged period at loose forward, Harris is the stand-out York half of 2022.

5. Intriguing new role for Ata Hingano

Without his two regular starting props, in Masi Matongo and Pauli Pauli, through injury, head coach James Ford is having to creative to make the most out of his pack.

A move that few could have seen coming was moving Hingano to 13.

The Tongan showed bright early signs there though, assisting Bailey Antrobus' try and showing himself as one of York's top pound-for-pound defenders.

How such a tactic fares against any of the top five will be telling.