Video match report: York City Knights suffer last-kick heartbreak in extraordinary season opener

York City Knights were edged out in an extraordinary season opener at Bootham Crescent as Bradford Bulls won the tie with the last kick of the game.

A record crowd of 4,218 created a terrific atmosphere for the 2018 Betfred League 1 curtain raiser.

They were thoroughly entertained by two teams giving their all. And for a time it looked as thought it would be the Knights’ day.

[arve url=”https://youtu.be/tCt8cY9VLLQ” title=”York City Knights vs Bradford Bulls” /]

After half an hour they were 8-4 up, before a moment of quality saw the Bulls’ Joe Keyes and Elliot Minchella link up for a try. At half time the Knights were trailing 8-10.

The home side pulled it back to 20-20 with seconds remaining, with Joe Batchelor scoring twice.

‘Fantastic advert’

Then – heartbreak. The Bulls were awarded a penalty just as the full-time siren sounded. And with the last kick of the game Joe Keyes slotted home, sealing a 20-22 win.

As Knights’ coach James Ford told us after the match: “It was a fantastic advert for rugby league.

“We’re gutted we’ve not come out with the two points. We weren’t far away.

“But if that’s the standard of League 1 this year the supporters are in for a treat.”