York City Knights missed out on a semi-final berth in the Northern Rail 9s in Blackpool today after losing 26-14 to Keighley in their final group game – an outcome shrouded in controversy.

Both sides had beaten Workington and Whitehaven in their first two games, meaning this game could potentially decide who would go through to the last four in the tournament's new one-day format.

Championship side Keighley came out on top but match commissioner Steve Nicholson had the final score as 28-14, not 26-14, and these extra two points meant Keighley went through to the semi-finals instead of Leigh Centurions. Leigh's points-difference was the same as Keighley's but the Cougars had scored more tries.

The new format saw each of the 18 competing clubs play three group games apiece, with all results compiled in one composite table and the top four going into the semi-finals.

Sheffield, Halifax, Swinton and Keighley occupied the leading places – Leigh and Hunslet both missing out on points-difference despite also winning all three of their matches. Keighley went on to lose in the semi-finals to Sheffield, while Fax beat Swinton with a 'golden try' in extra time before defeating the Eagles 16-4 in the final to lift the trophy.

York, fielding several youngsters, lost their decider in the first half against a strong Keighley team, having trailed 16-0 at the break after tries by former Knight Jamaine Wray, Dan Belcher, Greg Nicholson and Tom Burton.

Tries by Chris Clough and Chris Thorman began a comeback but it was halted by Belcher's second try and Danny Jones' conversion. Belcher then denied Tom Lineham with a crucial try-saving tackle and the Cougars went up the other end to score a fine try finished by Jones, whose conversion attempt hit an upright.

Teenager Ed Smith had the last word with a fine try for York, goaled by Thorman, but by then the game was up.

For a tournament round-up and reaction from Knights head coach Dave Woods, see Monday's Press.

YOUNGSTER Dan Mole was a two-try first-half hero as York City Knights gave themselves a good chance of securing a shock place in the Northern Rail 9s semi-finals today.

The Knights beat Championship club Whitehaven 26-14 to make it two wins out of two in their group, with winger Mole twice showing good footwork to score their first two touchdowns.

Fellow youngsters Dec Malarkey and Ed Smith were also among the try-scorers in a fine win, which followed the opening victory over Championship One rivals Workington.

Mole's opener came after Chris Clough had knocked back Chris Thorman's reverse chip to the left flank, Thorman adding the first of his three goals, and, although Scott McAvoy immediately replied after slipping past Oliver Wilcox-Harrison, Mark Watson converting, Mole put the Knights back ahead.

Another quick response came from Rob Jackson but York went 18-10 up at half-time as Jack Lee touched down Thorman's smart grubber kick.

Lee and Thorman then combined for Malarkey to finish well by the flag and, although Haven reduced the deficit through Mark Shackley, a fine offload near the try-line by Clough saw Smith touch down to seal victory.

Other youngsters in the Knights' 13-man squad included student Callum Dinsdale, York Acorn ARLC product Matt Woods and two former academy players returning from long injury absences, Adam Caddie and Wilcox-Harrison.

There were six recognised first-teamers in Thorman, Clough, Lee, Nathan Freer, Tom Lineham and Mike Mitchell.

Victory in the Knights' last group game, against Keighley at 4.30pm, would leave the Knights among the frontrunners. Each of the 18 competing clubs play three group games with all results compiled in one composite table, with the top four going into the semi-finals.

York's Championship One rivals, Hunslet, have already won all three of their group games, while Halifax and Sheffield, like York, had won two out of two, though a number of teams were yet to finish their second match.

YORK City Knights got off to a winning start in their Northern Rail 9s campaign in Blackpool.

Star man Chris Thorman scored a solo try in the second half as the Knights came from behind to beat Championship One rivals Workington Town 10-6 in their opening game in pool three of the nine-a-side tournament.

Neil Frazer had streaked clear down the right wing to give the Cumbrians an early lead, James Robinson adding the drop-kick conversion for a 6-0 lead.

But good play between Thorman and Jack Lee saw the latter hit back before half-time and, although Mike Mitchell fluffed the conversion, Thorman struck midway through the second period, adding the two-point extras himself.

The Knights' next game is at 1.30pm against Championship side Whitehaven, and they end their group section against another Championship side, Keighley, at 4.30pm. All games are nine minutes each way.

There are five groups in total, with all teams playing three games, and all results are compiled into one league table with the leading four clubs qualifying for the semi-finals.

Knights 9s squad: Thorman, Lineham, M Mitchell, Clough, Lee, Mole, Haynes, E Smith, Freer, Dinsdale, Caddie, M Woods, O Wilcox-Harrison, Malarkey.