Match Preview | York Knights (A)
20/02/2024
Sheffield Eagles are back on the road this coming Sunday in the Betfred Challenge Cup 4th Round as we take on York Knights at the LNER Community Stadium (3pm kick-off).
Mark Aston’s side head up to North Yorkshire hoping to carry on their run in this season’s competition having seen off League One side Newcastle Thunder 88-12 in the last round at Olympic Legacy Park two weeks ago.
Off the back of Sunday’s win at Midlands Hurricanes, Aston’s side also head into this game hoping to carry on their current unbeaten four-match winning run in all competitions.
Standing in their way this weekend is fellow Betfred Championship side York Knights, who have had a mixed start to the new season. After scoring over 100 points in their opening AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Group Stage game against Newcastle Thunder, they fell to a 4-40 defeat at home to recently relegated Wakefield Trinity a week later.
However, Andrew Henderson’s side returned to winning ways in their most recent game, stealing the game at the death against Dewsbury as they progressed in the Challenge Cup with a narrow 8-14 win at Dewsbury Rams.
This weekend’s opponents
As explained, the Knights have had a mixed start to life this season in both the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup and the Betfred Challenge Cup.
Despite only being three games in, they’ve had an extra weeks rest having not played a game last weekend.
After having a good end to last season which saw the club secure a spot in the end-of-season playoffs, the club have recruited well in the off-season to try and go one better this season.
Will Dagger and Ritchie Myler have both stepped down from Super League to join the Knights from Wakefield and Leeds Rhinos respectively, but the latter is still yet to make his Knights debut following his move up to North Yorkshire in the off-season.
Nikau Williams was the man who secured their place in the 4th Round this weekend, scoring a try two minutes from time to seal the win at Dewsbury. He’s a fellow new signing for the club, and could feature once again in the halves with either Liam Harris, Ata Hingano or Taylor Pemberton this weekend.
One to Watch
Jesse Dee should be the one to look out for in the York Knights squad this weekend should he be selected to play by Andrew Henderson.
The Australian centre moved to the club ahead of the 2023 campaign from Newcastle and proved to be a crucial part of the side that secured a place in the end-of-season playoffs last year.
Capable of also playing in the halves, Dee has already come up with two tries this season, netting a brace against Newcastle Thunder in their season opener.
Tickets
Tickets remain on sale through the host club for Sunday’s game and available to purchase online here: Visiting Fans (futureticketing.ie)
Spectators will be situated in the East Stand at the LNER Community Stadium, where unreserved seating will be in place in blocks EA and EB for Sheffield Eagles supporters.
Prices for Sunday’s game are as follows:
Adults: £15
Senior (65+, 17-21): £10
U16: Free
General Admission tickets are also available to purchase over the phone on 01904 950 950 or from the York Stadium Management Ticket Office (next door to the York Knights Club Shop).
The York SMC Ticket Office will be open from 10am for supporters wishing to purchase tickets on matchday. Turnstiles open at 2pm for General Admission ticket holders.
Supporters Bus
After our recent success in selling out our supporters’ bus to Midlands Hurricanes last weekend, we’ll once again be running a bus to our next away game this weekend in York.
With limited availability remaining, book your seat now for £12 by clicking here sheffieldeagles.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/york_city_knights_v_sheffield_eagles__coach_travel_only
The supporters’ bus will leave Olympic Legacy Park at 1pm on Sunday afternoon.
Head-to-Head
This weekend’s game will be the first of three, potentially four, meetings against the Knights this season, should we both progress into the semi-final of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup.
Meetings between the two clubs stretch back as far as December 1986, where the Eagles ran out as 18-28 winners in North Yorkshire in the first-ever clash between the two sides.
In the last five meetings, this weekend's hosts have been victorious four times against the Eagles, with our only win coming as a 40-10 victory at home last season at Olympic Legacy Park in the Betfred Championship in June against the Knights.
How to follow the game
Not heading to York this Sunday? If not, here a list of ways for you to be able to keep up to date with what goes on at the game.
Live Match Coverage on X
Post-Match Report on Official Club Website
Post-Match Interviews on Official YouTube channel
