York end season on high with win over Bradford
It was a special night for York's Ben Jones-Bishop who celebrated his 400th career appearance with a try
- Published
Betfred Super League
York (18) 35
Tries: Galeano, Jones-Bishop, Mata'afa, Dee, Va'a, Nofoaluma Goals: Hunter 5 Drop Goal: Vaughan
Bradford (12) 16
Tries: Sutton, Dean, Okunbor Goals: Atkin 2
York Knights ended their first season in Super League on a high note by beating bottom club Bradford Bulls.
Winger Ben Jones-Bishop scored on his 400th career appearance as the Knights ran in six tries to secure a 10th-placed finish following a positive first year in the top flight.
Bradford, back in Super League for the first time since 2014, will end the campaign with the wooden spoon after failing to back up their victory over Castleford last Thursday.
After a decent start to the season, the Bulls were unable to pick up back-to-back victories after 1 March in a year that has yielded just seven league wins from 27 matches.
York's Scott Galeano was sent to the sin-bin early on for a tip-tackle and, down to 12, the home side conceded when Ryan Sutton powered over from close range on the left edge as Chris Atkin popped the extras over.
But moments after coming back on to the field, Galeano showed a dummy on the right edge and scored on his inside line before Cody Hunter kicked York level.
And the Knights were soon in front when Jones-Bishop finished comfortably as the Bulls were left outnumbered on their left.
Riley Dean briefly pulled the Bulls level when he capitalised on a mistake under the high ball by York's Sam Wood to dot down but, in a topsy-turvy first-half, York went in with a half-time lead when Toa Mata'afa bounced off fellow full-back Caleb Aekins to slide over.
York's Paul Vaughan rounded off the scoring on his final career appearance
After the break, York half-back Liam Harris' outstanding ankle tap tackle prevented Dan Russell running in a certain four points and to compound the Bulls' frustrations further Ebon Scurr had a try disallowed for an obstruction by Sutton.
That proved to be costly as Paul McShane - on his 350th Super League appearance - put a canny grubber-kick into the path of Jesse Dee to grab York's fourth try of the night.
In a night of milestones, York fans also waved goodbye to Australia international Paul Vaughan who was playing the final match of his career after he announced his retirement in the week.
Moments after Vaughan came on, Xavier Va'a slid over to put York into an unassailable lead and soft defending in the backline allowed David Nofoaluma to latch on to his own kick to score his 15th try this season before Jayden Okunbor grabbed a late consolation score for the Bulls.
But York deserved the final word and fittingly it was retiring prop Vaughan who found himself in the pocket to slot over a drop-goal from close range to complete the scoring in his final game.
'I've never kicked one in my life' - reaction
York Knights' Paul Vaughan told BBC Radio York after calling time on his 13-year professional career:
"It's a very weird, indescribable feeling of just elation. I feel so content, so lucky, and so privileged.
"When I was a kid, I just dreamt about playing rugby professionally. To play over 300 games and to do everything I've done - it's quite surreal.
"Logically, it was the right decision to go back [to Australia]. This year, I've played great footy. I'm 35, I feel great, but I just couldn't do another year without my girls.
"The years that the girls are at at the moment are really special and I don't want to miss that.
"I'm finishing on my terms which is really special. It's just a feeling of happiness, it's cool."
On his drop-goal: "We spoke about the drop-goal, Macca [Paul McShane] and I before the game. I wanted the right post because I'm a right-footer. It was just elation. I've never kicked one in my life."
Bradford Bulls coach Kurt Haggerty told BBC Radio Leeds:
"It is very difficult to put into words how I feel. I found it very difficult addressing the team with a lot of players in the dressing room that won't be here next year.
"It's been a roller-coaster. Tonight is going to leave a sour taste in my mouth which is going to drive me through pre-season next year."
On finishing bottom: "I didn't want the tag for the club. I don't want to make excuses, I'm not that type of coach.
"I work for a fantastic club. It's almost felt like Salford at times with injuries. Ultimately, we've just not had enough quality to win games."
York: Mata'afa; Jones-Bishop, Galeano, Wood, Nofoaluma; Hunter, Harris; Va'a, McShane, Vaughan, Dee, Field, Thompson.
Interchanges: Balmforth, Hingano, Martin, Foster.
Sin-bin: Galeano (13 mins).
Bradford: Aekins; Okunbor, Russell, Blake, Wynne; Dean, Atkin; Sutton, Ackers, Scurr, Gardiner, Steinwede, Mellor.
Interchanges: Gill, Peposhi, Ruan, Marsters.
Referee: Chris Kendall.
