York Knights started their inaugural Betfred Super League season with a 19-18 win over defending champions Hull KR in the opening game of the inaugural Betfred Super League season with a most magical victory.
Up-and-comer Yorke was put to a tough test as a starter for Hull KR, but he passed it with flying colors and was celebrating what a great moment it was to earn his place in the competition.
Against all odds, York Knights took the lead through Sam Wood’s unconverted shot and Hull KR hit back through Jay Whitbread to take a 6-4 lead.
However, a penalty just before half-time saw Liam Harris try to score, but the goal was spilled, leaving the score 6-6 after 40 minutes.
The Robins then looked to have the upper hand as Whitbread scored their second try and Sauaso Sioux gave them an 18-6 lead.
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Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis penalized for sticking out his foot and tripping Liam Harris
However, the game changed when Mikey Lewis was sent to the sin bin and off the field on a trip by Harris. This allowed a converted Sam Wood try to bring York within six points.
The York crowd then witnessed the unthinkable as Scott Galeano hit a grubber kick and Harris sent in a clutch conversion to tie the game.
Ata Hingano then scored the first drop goal of his career to put York up 19-18, and the team held on for four minutes to earn an all-out victory over the reigning champions on a big night for York City.
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Watch Ata Hingano put York Knights ahead with 4 minutes left!
Hull KR’s next game is the World Club Challenge on Thursday February 19th when they take on the Brisbane Broncos for the world championship title. This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and we need to improve a lot in this match.
With this big match in mind, Hull KR face a nervous wait after Lewis leaves the field for about 10 minutes.
York announce themselves on Super League stage
At the rain-soaked LNER Community Stadium, there was concern from the start after star hooker Jez Litten was sent off due to an HIA. But he passed on it, and from there they tried to steamroll the season.
York had the first chance in the opponents’ half, but the rest were all Hull KR’s, as the home side converted set after set in their own half.
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York Knights score first try of the 2026 Super League season!
Despite the pressure, Tyrone May’s shot in the 13th minute was choked off by the Knights’ relentless defense.
Then, against all odds, York took the lead against the run of play and scored the opening goal of Super League 2026.
Elliot Minchella awarded a penalty for a high shot and York attacked downfield and in the 19th minute Paul McShane found Wood on the short side and dived in to score his first try of the season, giving the York fans a 4-0 lead and sending York fans into a frenzy.
Hull KR clearly had the upper hand, but York’s brave defensive line showed plenty of courage and kept the reigning champions at bay on their own lines for the first 33 minutes.
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Jay Whitbread brings Hull KR back in front, overcomes two tackles and grounds the ball over the line.
But in the end, Hull KR got on the scoreboard as Whitbread twisted his body to press in from short range and Rhys Martin converted to take a 6-4 lead.
After back-to-back penalties, York’s Harris went for the hoop with 40 seconds remaining, sending his team down the tunnel with an impossible scoreline of 6-6.
As expected, Hull KR came on in the second half to continue their initial pressure and after being denied a double motion, Whitbread eventually won the double with a fine line from close range. Martin converted again for a 12-6 advantage.
Less than 10 minutes later, it was Suh’s turn to dive under the sticks after a flat pass from Litten, Martin kicked the conversion again, and an 18-6 overall lead looked ominous for the home team with over 20 minutes remaining.
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Sam Wood hits a double on his debut for the York Knights!
However, Hull KR became their biggest enemy as Lewis deliberately tripped kicker Harris, a mistake that sent him to the sin bin and put his team on the back foot for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, York scored its second goal on a sliding run by Wood and a conversion by Harris to make the score 18-12 with just over 10 minutes left. Galeano then finished off Glover, and Harris made a great conversion to tie the game at 18-18 with seven minutes left.
The York crowd was loud and proud, erupting into rapturous applause when Hingano scored a drop goal with four minutes remaining to give them a one-point lead.
York fought hard during this and the loudest cheer of the night was heard when Arthur Mourg knocked on and gave the ball back to York, with Peta Hiku’s touch sealing victory.
Indeed, this will be remembered as one of the greatest victories for a promoted club in the 30-year history of Super League.
McShane: ‘We made history’ Peters: Lewis betrayed himself
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Hull KR head coach Willie Peters said Lewis “let his teammates down” by sticking his foot out and tripping Harris, resulting in Lewis being sent to the sin bin.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters said on Sky Sports+:
“We deserved the result in this game, and so did we. It wasn’t that we played badly in the first half, it was just a lack of discipline.
“We put a lot of pressure on the ball, but we couldn’t get any tries, which is OK, because that’s what we did behind the scenes, we got a lot of penalties.
“What Mikey did was let his teammates down, so we need to learn from that.
“You’ll have to ask him (what he was thinking), but he has to learn from it.
“Whatever it (punishment) is, so be it. I don’t know exactly what the sentence is. You have to make your bed and lie there.”
York Knights fans were celebrating full time
Player of the match – Paul McShane on Sky Sports+:
“I don’t know how we did it. It wasn’t a pretty game, but one of the things this team is built on is hard work and unity, and we showed that in the last 10 minutes of the game.”
“This team is built on unity. The culture was a big part of what convinced me to come again this year. Nights like this make it all worth it.”
“We’ve made history as part of Super League and it’s great for the club to get our first win. We got the result today but it’s a long season and we just want to continue to compete and be respected.”
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth said on Sky Sports+:
“Yes (we proved them all wrong). I’m really happy with that. Our try-line defensive set really set the tone for us in the first half and a few of the lads got the ball rolling.”
“They did a great job with seven players making their Super League debuts. The challenge now for us is to maintain that level of performance. I’m really proud of the players and delighted to get a win for the city.”
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season. Exclusively live, including two matches from each round, the remaining five matches will be shown weekly on Sky Sports+.
