19/07/2026
Knottingley Mustangs 32 - 14 Normanton Knights
The Mustangs deservedly came away with the spoils in this one largely down to an almost perfect first half performance where they raced into a 22 point unanswered lead.
Knottingley had all the possession early on and ill discipline from the visitors allowed the home side to be piggy backed up field with repeat penalties.
Quick hands moving the ball from right to left found the impressive centre Franki who powered over to score out wide despite the best efforts of 3 Knights defenders.
Marley converting with ease to edge the Mustangs into a deserved 6-0 lead with Normanton yet to touch the ball.
The hosts soon extended their lead thanks to a barnstorming run close to the line from powerhouse Harrison who couldn't be stopped and he dotted down for a kick that Marley duly converted from directly in front.
Normanton began to grow into the game but the Knottingley defence stood tall and kept the visitors at bay.
A break in midfield from Harrison found the supporting Matty and he raced under the posts for the next try of the game, again Marley making no mistakes as he turned 4 into 6 and the Mustangs looked good value for their 18 score lead.
Again the hosts dominated and great defence, this time from Jack W forced Normanton to drop out following a great kick chase effort.
In form centre Franki showed tremendous strength once again to barge his way over out on the right edge for his 2nd try of the afternoon. Unfortunately Marley seeing his conversion sail agonisingly wide of the uprights with just 5 minutes left on the clock.
Credit to the knights as they showed real character and why they are a top side with their never say die attitude to score to the side of the posts despite some last ditch Mustang efforts to go in at the break with a lifeline at 22-6.
The home side got the 2nd half underway with a deep kick off and capitalised on an awful bounce to regain possession.
It was in this set that any chance of a comeback was quashed as Harrison crashed over for his 2nd try of the afternoon, Marley adding the extras against a strong head wind.
Both sides then made errors and an arm wrestle of sorts took over, but a brilliant break from deep by Brandon from a delightful inside ball by Jack W, saw him race away before drawing the full back and sending centre Marley away to score in the corner for a try Matty was unable to convert from the touchline.
The Mustangs took their foot off the gas in the remaining 15 minutes and, aided by giving away some poor penalties allowed a determined knights side to deservedly bag two late unconverted tries to give the scoreboard a more respectable look as the game finished 32-14.
In a good, solid, all round performance from the Knottingley side it was hard to pick out the stand outs but Mason, Jack W, Harrison, Tom and Franki put in top shifts ably assisted by Brandon and the returning Jamie.
Next up the boys are at home to another local rival as they host Kippax Welfare next Sunday, full details yet to be confirmed.
TRIES: Franki X2, Harrison X2, Matty and Marley
GOALS: Marley 4/5, Matty 0/1
