York and All Golds fired up for iPro Cup clash

York City Knights coach James Ford is hoping that his team can maintain their recent high standards when they face Gloucestershire All Golds in the iPro Sport Cup semi-final this weekend.

The Knights have now extended their unbeaten run to four games in League 1, winning 40-6 at home to South Wales last week.

“Our promising start continued but performance-wise we probably didn’t hit our standards and were probably a little bit frustrated with ourselves,” said Ford.

“I thought South Wales gave a really creditable account of themselves and it’s pleasing to see them going in the right direction.

“With regards to Gloucestershire this week, we know that it will be a tough game. They’ve beaten two more-established teams already this season so they’re very capable of upsetting the so-called bigger teams.

“In the games they’ve lost, they’ve competed for large parts and fallen away at the back end.

“We’re preparing for a real tough and physical encounter against an improving Gloucester team and we’re looking forward to it.”

York could be without back rower Josh Tonks, who is doubtful with a hamstring strain. Stand-off Richard Wilkinson is a confirmed absentee with a triceps injury.

The All Golds lost 21-18 at home to Newcastle Thunder last time out. Coach Lee Greenwood felt his team made too many errors, and hopes to put that right this week.

“It was very similar to other performances where we just make too many errors and give too many penalties,” he said.

“It was a scrappy affair but they’ve got the two points so well done to them.

“We’re huge underdogs this week, so we’ll go there with absolutely nothing to lose.

“We just need to worry about our own errors, because if we make that many then it’s going to be a very heavy defeat.

“But if we can cut them out then we can give ourselves a chance.”