South Wales Scorpions lost their 100th game 48-10 to York City Knights in Blackwood on Saturday June 21.
It was by no means a walkover as the Scorpions fought in patches but didn’t look consistent enough to get near to a win as the Knights went top of Championship One.
An error from kick-off allowed York to pound the home side’s line straight away and they made no mistake after Ben Dent dived over on the wing after being set up by James Ford. Ben Reynolds’ conversion attempt hit the post.
The Scorpions did look for a way back in as Mike Connor was illegally held over the line but from the penalty Jordan Sheridan was held up.
York then turned on the style and Colton Roche scoring after good work from James Haynes and Ed Smith. Reynolds had no problem with the kick to put them 10-0 up.
The Scorpions replied on 11 minutes as Jack Pring combined with Ian Newbury who scored the try.
But York extended their lead on 18 minutes when assistant coach James Ford crossed the line.
The home side had a try disallowed on 25 minutes as Jordan Sheridan was offside when he received Emanuelli’s grubber kick.
The Knights made them pay from the next attack when Ben Dent received Ben Ford’s pass to score in the corner. Reynold again failed to land the extras.
Jack Lee and Pat Smith worked well together as the Knights skipper scored. Reynolds converted to give York a 24-4 lead at the break.
The Scorpions responded early in the second half when Mike Connor eased through the Knights defence in the 46th minute. Emanuelli converted.
Dent got his hat-trick for the visitors, scoring under the posts to give Reynolds an easy goal.
The Knights increased their lead when Ford scored in the corner, then Reynolds set up Haynes to score under the post.
Following a delay due to an injury to Scorpions’ Harry Cartwright, Reynolds scored Yorks’ ninth try of the match to seal the impressive win.
Valley Cougars moved into joint second in the Conference South table after a healthy win over Bristol Sonics in the Scorpions’ curtain raiser.
The Penallta club took an early 16-0 lead but Sonics fought back before the break to give them hope.
Chris Speck ran in for the Welsh side’s first try on three minutes.
Dan Davies broke free and ran 30 metres to score under the sticks on 21 minutes which Goddard converted and Martin Luckwell did the same less than ten minutes later which was again converted to make the score 16-0.
Sonics scored two tries before half-time, the first through Joe Singleton then Tony Harvey after good work from Chris Blythe.
Both tries were unconverted, to make it 16-8 to Valley Cougars at the break.
The Cougars received a strong team talk from Paul Emanuelli at half time and woke up again soon after coming back out.
Steve Williams ran through to score the right of the sticks and Goddard to converted.
Dafydd Hellard ran over on the wing for the Cougars’ next try on 48 minutes but the Bristol Sonics hit back again as Gloucestershire All Golds captain, Mike Stewart, playing under dual registration, stormed over with Potts adding the extras to bring the score to 26-14.
Scott Britton extended the Cougars’ lead with another try, before Ryan Davies scored in the opposite corner with substitute Mike Rowe converting superbly from the touchline.
Cougars hit top form as Davies ran well for his second try of the game and Rowe converted again to make the score 44-14.
Dan Davies rounded things off for the Scorpions with a try from close range with Rowe adding the extras to bring the score up to 50.
Valley Cougars will look to extend their winning run when they face Oxford Cavaliers on Saturday June 28 at 3pm.
In the Welsh Conference South Torfaen Tigers beat Cardiff Spartans 48-4 to keep them top of the table.
• Match reports by Ian Golden