PAUL MARCH was left reasonably content after his first friendly in charge of York City Knights ended with honours even.

March's youthful line-up came from behind to draw 22-22 with a York Select XIII featuring amateur players from the city as well as a few popular old Knights boys.

The game was staged in honour of former Knights player Lee McTigue, who died of cancer last month.

March gave credit to the representative team put together at short notice and said it was a worthwhile workout at this stage in pre-season.

"It was a good competitive game. I was pleased with the way things went," he said. "I was not too happy with our attacking at times but we were pretty solid with the ball. Defensively we've still got areas where we need to improve. We created chances, but I don't think we were patient enough. We were getting into good areas, but wasted them with off-loads that went to ground. Once we can take the tackle and play the next play, I think we'll go all right.

"Defensively we're not a million miles off, but we need to pick it up. That will come with games and time on the field. Great credit is due to the Select team. They battled through and looked the better side at one point, although as far as winning the game was concerned, a few more minutes and I think we would have nicked it."

March left out several first-choice players, saving them for the forthcoming friendlies versus Wakefield and Leeds.

"Andy Bailey went well. He was the senior player and he led the pack well, and Adam Endersby took the ball forward," he said.

"We had a young side out and they've all stood in and got a job done.

"That's the platform we can build on.

"We've got two more pre-season games and it will be a very different team for them.

"We're going in the right direction but we know we need to improve and fix some things up in training."

Mick Ramsden, the Select XIII coach, was delighted with his side, especially their team ethic, and he reckoned they gave his former club a good exercise.

"I wasn't sure if the players had fully bonded after having only a couple of training sessions, but what stood out for me was the way they worked for each other, defending sets on their own line," he said.

"There were just a couple of errors in defence, and the Knights got that lucky try from a kick, but all in all I thought we gave them a good test.

"It was satisfying after the work we put in, in a short space of time, to see the lads put that effort in and give a really good performance. They all did themselves proud."

Former Great Britain and Knights hooker Lee Jackson, 39 in March, stood out for the rep team, but Ramsden was proud of all the players.

"Jacko gave us some really good direction, and Chris Varley stepped into the hooking role while he was off and did well," he said.

"Our forwards worked very hard - Sam Clarke's effort was outstanding. I could applaud every player really.

"The Knights looked pretty well drilled and they've got some good, young, strong lads. They probably need a bit more match fitness, which will come.

"There are some good up-and-coming lads there.

"Tom Hodgson looked sharp and Ross Divorty looked good in the second row - he's definitely one who will do well.

"It's been a good day all round and it ended pretty fairly.

"I thought it would be a close game and to finish 22-22 was a fair result."