ANDREW HENDERSON was ‘really impressed’ with Harvey Reynolds’ professional debut and early impact into his York Knights career.

Reynolds joined the Knights on a permanent deal in early-November from Hull Kingston Rovers, initially to provide back-up to the first team in a trio of young signings that included Francis Coggle and Jack Potter too with York keen to avoid similar injury issues as last season.

However, after Reynolds’ impressed York head coach Henderson in pre-season training, the back-rower was handed an opportunity to make his professional debut in the Knights’ captivating 114-10 victory over Newcastle Thunder just over a week ago, with the youngster repaying the faith by scoring on debut.

Reynolds’ performance pleased Henderson, with the Knights head coach eager to see where the back-rower can progress in his career, claiming that Reynolds did not look out of place in a triumphant York victory over a fragile Newcastle outfit.

“I was really, really impressed,” Henderson told the Press.

“He’s a young player that we have given an opportunity to and we’ve given an opportunity to a number of young players in the closed season, but Harvey was someone that when I looked at him, I liked the way he moved.

“He looked really balanced and is a good athlete, he’s got some really good qualities to his game.

“He’s really progressed in his environment during pre-season and has done enough to earn an opportunity to make his professional debut with us on Sunday, which was great.

“I was really, really pleased to see the progression he has made in our pre-season training but also to see it in a live scenario, I don’t think that he looked out of place last Saturday (January 27) and I am really, really pleased for him.”