Knights re-write the record books
York City Knights broke a host of records as they thrashed Northumbria University 132-0 in the third round of the Challenge Cup.
he 132-0 scoreline is a new record for the biggest-ever win in the competition’s 115-year history.
Stand-Off Chris Thorman led the way with four tries and 20 goals for a personal haul of 56 points – an all-time rugby league record.
The previous record score in the Challenge Cup was 119-2 set by Huddersfield against Swinton Park in 1914, though York’s tally fell just short of the rugby league record 142-4 win by Huddersfield over Blackpool Gladiators and the 138-0 win by Barrow over Nottingham City, both in the Regal Trophy in 1994.
York’s previous biggest win in all competitions was 84-0 against Nottingham in 1992.
Thorman’s points haul beat the all-time record of 53 set by George “Tich” West with 11 tries (then worth three points each) and ten goals for Hull KR against Brooklands Rovers in 1905, which also came in the Challenge Cup.
Thorman also came close to breaking the all-time goals in a match record of 22 set by the great Jim Sullivan for Wigan in a 116-0 Cup win over Flimby and Fothergill in 1925.
The previous York RL record of points in a match was 30 set by Jamie Benn with 13 goals and one try for York Wasps at home to Oldham in 1999. The 13 goals was also a record.
The previous Knights record of 12 goals in a match was shared by Lee Waterman at home to Gateshead last season, and Adam Mitchell away to London Skolars in 2009.
The previous Knights best of 28 points in a match was also shared by Waterman, with three tries and eight goals at Gateshead last year, and Danny Brough, with a similar haul against Dewsbury in 2004.
Thorman’s fellow half-back, Jonny Presley, also broke a Knights record yesterday with six tries.
The previous best of five was shared by Mark Cain, against Workington in the 1994 play-offs, and Lee Mapals, against Swinton in May 2008.
The all-time York RL record stays with Brad Davis, however, with seven in a 74-14 win over Highfield in 1995.
Knights coach Dave Woods told BBC Radio York: “We were looking for a display from things we’d worked on.
“We got that, and when you do that, the scoreline takes care of itself.”
Woods sympathised with Northumbria for suffering a backlash from poor Knights performances in the previous two games.
“Full credit to Northumbria, right at the end they were still working hard, still trying things from kick-offs.
“We were smart with what we did. We picked out some players we wanted to get at and we did that. It was a good all-round performance.”
“You can only play the players in front of you and we did that, whether it’s [next week’s opponents] Hunslet you’re playing or Northumbria,” Woods added.
“Today will give the players a boost. They can see that those little things we worked on work when they do them properly, so we’ll take them into the game next week.”
Although keen on a Challenge Cup run, Woods added: “Our real goal now is that we perform next week.”
Woods will face some interesting selection problems, as he will have the three Castleford players available again, plus two injured players who will be fit by Sunday, although Ian Bell faces suspension after being charged with two counts of dangerous play against Keighley.