YORK Knights lost 36-20 to league newcomers Doncaster on the opening day of the Betfred Championship season.
The Knights went into opening day against newly promoted Doncaster, who had recruited players well in the summer.
Henderson said there were six changes from the side that defeated Oldham 46-12 in the AB Sundecks 1895 cup quarter-final two weeks ago, including two Knights debutants.
Tom Lineham and Tom Nicholson-Watton made their first starts for the club after the pair were signed on Wednesday afternoon, while Oli Field and Joe Brown returned after recovering from illness.
While Ata Hingano and Ronan Michael were included in the team again after recovering from their injuries, Brad Ward’s transfer to Newcastle Thunder last week meant that he left the squad, while Harvey Reynolds moved to the 18th man role.
Jordan Thompson, Jesse Dee and Will Dagger, as well as captain Liam Harris and forward Brenden Santi, could not play in the match due to injury.
Doncaster had fielded a good squad in the summer but were without the suspended Joe Lovodua after joining from Betfred Super League side Hull FC.
The home team also boasted six former Knights in their ranks; these included Brad Hey, Ben Johnston, Connor Robinson, Sam Smeaton, Tyla Hepi and Pauli Pauli, who played for York last campaign.
Doncaster are fresh off promotion after finishing an impressive third in Betfred League One’s last campaign, but Henderson reaffirmed he will not be taking the opening day lightly, labeling the hosts the ‘dark horses’ of the season.
However, Henderson will be hoping for a strong start for his side.
But it was Doncaster who took advantage of several errors from York to come out on top early on, which would eventually lead to an improvement in the score.
An early penalty awarded in the first minute set the tone early on before Williams was forced to take a midfield strike and Doncaster’s pressure forced half-time.
The home side almost had a moment when Robinson’s pass to Alex Sutcliffe fell wide of the second rower despite occupying space inside York’s ten-yard line.
York would not take their first set until the 10th minute; Suaia Matagi’s error allowed the Knights to attack down the left before AJ Towse made contact with the corner flag.
Another York error saw Doncaster fail to capitalize, but it would not be long before the Dons found their breakthrough.
A well-worked move allowed Craig Hall to push the ball left and towards Tom Halliday, with the Doncaster star tapping in down the left side. Robinson made no mistake in the conversion.
And just two minutes later Doncaster added depth to the scoreline. A mistake by Towse with Robinson’s high kick resulted in the Knight dropping the ball into the path of Ben Johnston, who raced in behind for the Dons’ second try. Robinson converted again.
The home team’s 12-0 lead saw York respond correctly, forcing both Johnston and Tyla Hepi to make mistakes; Myles Harrison looked to take advantage down the right flank but was denied by the strong Doncaster defence.
But with the Knights now in control of the game, a long strike forward from Richie Myler caused an error from the Doncaster backline and Teanby ran onto the loose ball to score York’s first try of the afternoon. Williams converted masterfully.
The Knights could feel the tide turning in their favor as York charged into the Doncaster 20 forcing the ball into touch while another high strike from Myler forced Hall to touch the ball.
And after that scrum York looked to potentially equalize when a sensational pass from Joe Brown found Towse in the left corner and the homegrown talent managed to score through a crowd of bodies.
The conversion was missed by Williams and hit wide of the post, but it was an encouraging end to a narrow first half in South Yorkshire.
But the Knights were unable to carry this into the second half as Doncaster responded to York’s pressure after the restart.
Former York striker Pauli impressed for the Dons by slotting the ball over the line from close range and he completed the try just two minutes into the second half. Robinson converted.
A wide pass from Hall allowed Halliday to cut into the York defense, beating four players before securing a try. Robinson was unable to continue his hot streak after the conversion and shot wide of the post.
And four minutes later the Dons were celebrating again when captain and former Knight Sam Smeaton met another impressive pass from Hall before going down for another Doncaster try. Robinson converted again.
York were clearly frustrated with Doncaster and were being forced to make no mistake as Towse missed a wide pass from Myler before the Knights awarded a penalty for a high challenge just minutes later.
However, Ukuma Ta’ai’s foul just in front of the posts caused the referee to award Doncaster a penalty in a dangerous position.
The Dons took a 20-point lead as Robinson headed home happily.
The Knights mounted a late fightback as Josh Daley capped off the half-time with an impressive finish in the left corner. Williams transformed.
And Tom Lineham scored his first try for the club on his second start, producing a superb finish in the right corner on shift play. Williams missed the next conversion.
But despite York’s last-ditch efforts, Doncaster would end their impressive display with another fine finish from Pauli against his former club, knocking the ball off the line. Robinson converted again.
A lost start to the season for the Knights, who will feel improvements need to be made on their return to the LNER Community Stadium in two weeks.
DONCASTER: Hall, Briscoe, Lyne, Hey, Halliday, Johnston, Robinson, Knowles, Burns, Matagi, Sutcliffe, Smeaton, McConnell
Junctions: Pauli, Hepi, Boas, Ferres
PLAYER 18: Güzdek
TRIES: Halliday (17, 48), Johnston (20), Pauli (42, 80), Smeaton (52)
GOALS: Robinson 6/7
YORK KNIGHTS: Brown, Lineham, Harrison, Keinhorst, Towse, Williams, Myler, Ta’ai, Jubb, Fitzsimmons, Field, Bailey, Nicholson-Watton
REPLACEMENTS: Daley, Hingano, Michael, Teanby
PLAYER 18: Reynolds
TRIES: Teanby (33), Towse (37), Daley (68), Lineham (72)
GOALS: Williams 2/4
SCORE ORDER: 4-0, 6-0, 10-0, 12-0, 12-4, 12-6, 12-10, 16-10, 18-10, 22-10, 26-10, 28-10 , 30-10, 30-14, 30-16, 30-20, 34-20, 36-20
HALF TIME: 12-10
YORK’S STARMAN: Ata Hingano. He made a difference when he was introduced and played a big part in the Knights’ trials.
REFEREE: Ryan Cox