“IT was just disgraceful”. That was the verdict of York City Knights boss Dave Woods after his side crashed 50-16 at Batley Bulldogs last night.

The Knights began badly, conceding 20 points in the first 20 minutes, despite having the advantage of the notorious Mount Pleasant slope, and could not claw their way back into the match, and so they remain just above the drop zone in the Championship.

The defeat, the second in front of the Sky Sports cameras this season, came on the day winger Dennis Tuffour – the crowd favourite who has been languishing in the reserves – went on loan to arch-rivals Hunslet.

The Press understands, though, that former York full-back Danny Ratcliffe has asked to leave South Leeds Stadium and Huntington Stadium could be his preferred destination.

The Hawks at present are refusing to let him go but Tuffour’s move the other way could free up a return.

Woods was not happy with the performance of referee Ronnie Laughton last night but was at a loss to explain his team’s poor showing.

“It was just disgraceful. I don’t know how to put my finger on it,” he said.

“We’re training well but we come out and make stupid mistakes, mistakes we shouldn’t be making.

“I feel real sorry for the blokes that are grafting their backsides off, like Jack Lee and Chris Thorman.

“Jack was outstanding, working away for the full 80 minutes, but getting no reward.

“We’re dropping the ball and missing one-on-one tackles. You can’t coach that.

“It’s got to come from within, from the heart. Little things just aren’t happening for us.”

Asked to comment on the performance of Laughton, Woods added: “What’s the point? Everyone saw it. People watching on TV saw it. But that does not stop us coughing up the football and missing tackles.”