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3 hours ago
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York Knights produced an incredible comeback to stun the reigning Super League champions and win their first ever game in the top flight on the opening night of the 2026 season.
North Yorkshire hosted Super League rugby for the first time in front of a full house and many of those who were watching York for the first time will have seen enough to return. They trailed last year’s treble winners 18-6 at one stage but scored 13 unanswered points in the final quarter to inflict a rare defeat on the Robins and cause pandemonium in the stands.
Mark Applegarth’s side, who were promoted to Super League for the first time last autumn, were considered huge underdogs against a Rovers side who were at full strength despite next Thursday’s World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos.
Rovers looked on course to escape with a victory before tries from Sam Wood and Scott Galeano levelled the scores. Then Ata Hingano kicked the winning drop goal with four minutes remaining to ensure a historic win.
Unsurprisingly, all the early pressure came from the defending champions. There was a nervous moment for Rovers inside the opening minute as the England hooker, Jez Litten, left the field for a head injury assessment but he returned as his side dominated large stretches of the opening 15 minutes.
However, York absorbed that pressure superbly and as the midway point in the first half approached, they grew into proceedings. With their first meaningful attack, they scored the opening try as Paul McShane’s cut-out pass created the space for Wood to cross for the Knights’ first Super League score. They almost went further ahead but for a superb last-ditch tackle from Tom Davies to deny Galeano.
But Rovers composed themselves and, with Litten exploiting the new rules around the ruck designed to speed up the game, Hull KR soon established authority once again.
They then got the try their dominance deserved five minutes from the break, as another repeat set sparked by Litten’s play around the ruck led to Jai Whitbread forcing his way over the line. Rhyse Martin converted to put Rovers ahead at the break by two before a Liam Harris penalty brought the Knights level with the champions at half-time.
Rovers looked as though they had shaken off any rustiness when Whitbread and Sauaso Sue cut through the York defence for two simple tries inside eight minutes. At this stage, the Knights looked to be fading but they summoned a second wind from somewhere.
Roared on by the crowd, Wood and Galeano touched down with Harris converting both to make it 18-18, before Hingano nervelessly kicked the decisive point.
York Mata’afa; Jones-Bishop, Williams, Wood, Galeano; Hingano, Harris; Va’a, McShane, Vaughan, Field, Dee, Thompson. Interchange Balmforth, Martin, Sangare, Griffin.
Try Wood 2, Galeano Con Harris 2 Pen Harris DG Hingano
Hull KR Mourgue; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Brown, Litten, Sue, Martin, Batchelor, Minchella. Interchange Broadbent, Luckley, Whitbread, Lawton.
Tries Whitbread 2, Sue Cons Martin 3 Sin bin Lewis
Referee L Rush.
