YORK CITY KNIGHTS 18, LIONS RLFC 34: Games don't get any tougher than a trip to York on the opening day of the new season, and to make matters worse the Lions they were forced to play in New Earswick All Blacks kit, as their own new Black strip clashed with the home team's.

But they overcame that disadvantage in style, leading coach Paul Kidd to comment: "It's a good start but we can still improve, its great to be at full strength and playing some good rugby."

The Lions' first chance came after nine minutes, when Phil Joseph put in a kick to the Knights' line and Matt Blaymire had to kick it dead in goal. Ian Watson then put in a good cross kick towards the line and again the Knights forced it dead.

The first Lions' try came in the 14th minute when Dan Potter knocked on at a 20-metre tap and the Lions moved the ball left for Chris Maye to send Lee Marsh in at the corner; the loose forward also added the difficult conversion.

The Knights' first chance came in the 19th minute when Darren Callaghan went close but knocked-on short of the line, from the resulting scrum the Lions moved downfield and Ian Watson sent out a great pass to Wayne English, who added the Lions' second try which Marsh again converted.

The Lions next try came five minutes later when Marsh sent Lee Patterson in at the corner and the provider added the conversion from the touchline to put his team well in command.

Chris Maye had a chance in the 27th minute when he chased a Watson kick to the corner, but again Blaymire had to kick it dead and then Watson missed a simple drop goal attempt.

The Knights' first try came ten minutes from the break when Marlon Billy lost control of a Paul Thorman bomb kick and Neil Law crashed in at the corner with Thorman adding the conversion.

The Knights also scored the first try of the second half when Mark Cain went through the Lions' defence like a knife through butter and again Thorman goaled.

The fourth Lions' try came in the 58th minute when a fine passing move ended with Lee Gardner going over near the corner, but Marsh was wayward with his kick. Adam Sullivan went close for the Knights and then Jim Elston knocked-on as another chance went begging for the home side.

Mick Coates was next to score for the Lions when the Knights' winger Calvin Watson lost control of the ball over his own line and the stand-off pounced on the loose ball and again Marsh converted.

Neil Law scored his second try for the home side ten minutes from time and Thorman again converted to give his side a glimmer of hope, but it wasn't to be as Maye sealed the game for the Lions three minutes from time when he intercepted a stray Knights' pass to race 70 metres for the score and Marsh again added the simple goal to secure a great victory.

LIONS :English, Oldham, Patterson, Maye, Billy, Coates, Watson, Southern, Joseph, Rogers, Heaton, Sinfield, Marsh. Subs: Ayres, Russell, Gardner, Whittaker.

IAN RIGG