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2026 Season Review: York Knights

2 hrs

A Knights tale. York impress on debut campaign in Betfred Super League.

Nine league victories and a tenth-placed finish ensured York Knights’ first season in Betfred Super League was marked down as a definite success.

Promoted from the Championship and with lower central funding than their rivals, the Knights defied pre-season predictions from the off.

Any doubts that Mark Applegarth’s side could compete fully at the top table were extinguished on opening night, when Ata Hingano’s late drop goal sealed a thrilling 19-18 win over champions Hull KR at a vibrant LNER Stadium.

Round Three saw them repeat that one-point triumph with Danny Richardson’s boot this time the difference against Hull FC, although it would be late April before the Knights won again, with Toulouse beaten in Round Nine.

Tough spells were always likely to happen and that victory was a solitary one in 12 games as the Knights slipped to 13th.

But any fears they would allow their season to peter out were ended with consecutive wins over Castleford, Huddersfield and Hull FC, before top six-chasing St Helens were put to the sword 34-32 at home in August.

A final round win over Bradford capped an impressive campaign overall for the competition newcomers, with heavy defeats to Wigan and Leeds very much the exception to the norm.

Coach Applegarth was able to call on a nucleus of key players for the majority of the campaign, including vastly experienced duo Paul McShane and Paul Vaughan, hard-working prop Jack Martin and impressive back rower Oli Field.

Scott Galeano, Nikau Williams, Jon Bennison, Sam Wood and early-season signing David Nofoaluma helped form a dangerous three-quarter line that yielded plenty of tries and no lack of industry coming out of backfield.

In the middle, full-back Toa Mata’afa, utility Hingano, skipper Liam Harris and substitute hooker Denive Balmforth all ensured the Knights were difficult to defend against.

Now the Knights are looking to progress following investment from new owner David Dickson.

Their recruitment campaign for 2027 has already seen them secure established NRL players Cameron McInnes and Blake Lawrie alongside experienced duo Zak Hardaker and Max Jowitt.

“We’ve got the first year out of the way and now it’s time to kick on,” Applegarth said after the closing round win over Bradford Bulls that sealed tenth spot.

“We wouldn’t be in Super League if it wasn’t for Clint (Goodchild, previous owner), so you’ve got to give him credit, but David coming in will take things to the next level.

“It’s not going to be an overnight success. A lot of hard work needs to go into it.”

These are exciting times indeed in the Minster city.