Mark Applegarth credits York Knights' team spirit & eye-catching rugby

So said York Knights boss Mark Applegarth after another eye-catching performance dispatched fellow Betfred Championship play-off chasers Batley Bulldogs 37-6 in their penultimate home fixture of the season.

Just points difference separated the sides ahead of kick-off at a blustery LNER Community Stadium, but they were worlds apart on the pitch as the influence of half-back pairing Nikau Williams and Ata Hingano again came to the fore.

Williams, back in his preferred position after spells at right centre and full-back over recent weeks, set up Connor Bailey to break the deadlock after just six minutes, missed just one of his seven attempts from the tee, and scored a late drop goal in a Man of the Match performance as the Knights ran out resounding victors.

That is to take nothing away from Hingano, who orchestrated James Cunningham’s early try and bamboozled the Batley defence with some silky footwork before unselfishly passing for top-scorer Joe Brown to notch an 18th try of the season.

Recommended reading:

• Former Knights winger handed two-year ban after cocaine use

• Applegarth hails Knights’ discipline and decision-making against Batley
• REPORT: Knights leave Batley bruised as play-off push continues with resounding win

Applegarth, delighted with the new-found freedom the Knights are playing with under his tenure, explained: “People know the game plan, keep it simple so that everyone can slot in and do their job and then give them the license to play when it does unfold because that’s why we play rugby at the end of the day, isn’t it?”

“It’s a game and I think a lot of people, especially coaches, forget that players want to have that license to play and have that freedom to play. I don’t think I’d be able to look myself in the mirror if I have players like Ata and Nikau at six and seven and they play too rigid.

“They’ve got to have a bit of a license to play, and when they do get that right, it looks lovely doesn’t it.”

Matches between the sides have tended to be tight affairs over recent seasons, but Batley seemed almost pedestrian against York, who showed no signs of weariness following last weekend’s successful trip to Toulouse.

They never looked back after Bailey had opened the scoring early on, with Cunningham then finishing off a flowing team move before Batley’s first real attack culminated in Robbie Butterworth diving across into the right corner.

Wakefield loanee Joe Law soon restored York’s two-try advantage but the half ended on a sour note, with Batley’s Alistair Leak stretchered from the field after a tackle on Hingano.

Neither side troubled the scoreboard again before the break, but points continued to flow for the Knights after half time, with Williams slotting over a penalty and Brenden Santi crashing over from close range.

The Bulldogs’ floodgates then opened again when Brown combined with Hingano on 66 minutes, Jacob Gannon then adding his name to the scoresheet three minutes later after reeling in Will Jubb’s thunderous pass.

Williams slotted over a drop goal with four minutes remaining, but though Batley finished the better of the sides, the final hooter brought their late momentum to a shuddering halt.

Utility James Cunningham was among the Knights' scorers as they ran riot against Batley. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography)

Despite influential full-back Will Dagger ruled out with a calf strain at the eleventh hour and captain Liam Harris still sidelined with a long-term hamstring injury, their absences were rarely felt as the Knights put Batley to the sword.

Applegarth though admits that his side’s adversities have only made them stronger heading into a crucial final five matches in their bid to secure a coveted play-off spot.

“I think you’ve got to be [able to disguise missed players] now, if I’m honest,” the head coach continued.

“You’re going to get a few bumps and bruises and a few knocks, we’re also going to get some in this next five-week period, stats tell you that. It’s about how you overcome that and find that magic dust.

“They’re a real together group, and we just have to keep working on those connections and making sure that you show up for people.

“I know it sounds cliché, you can have the best game plan in the world, but all it takes is one thing to go against you and if you haven’t got that connection between your group then you get undone.

“We’re just working on that and making sure that we don’t get bored of working on that and making sure that we get that team spirit right.”