York City Knights director of rugby James Ratcliffe had mixed feelings after his side won 36-6 at Workington.

With the half-time scores level at 6-6, the Knights rallied to move up to sixth place in National Two.

Ratcliffe told BBC Radio York: "We saw the worst and the best of us there in two halves, but in the second half it was a very professional performance.

"In the first half a few individuals went along on their own avenues rather than sticking to a game plan."

Ratcliffe added: "We had a re-focus at half time, stuck to the game plan and went about our business."

The Knights put on a stout defence, both during the first half and towards the end of the game as Workington tried in vain for a consolation score.

"It's an area we looked at improving on last season and I think we've done that admirably.

"The reason they had so much of the ball was... giving the ball over in the second or third tackle.

"In the second half, once we did put on the pressure, we got results."

At times the Knights were over-ambitious and spilled a few balls trying to make spectacular passes to score.

"There's a time and a place for those passes and we don't need to go for the miracle ball, it's an 80 minute game, we don't have to score each time we touch the ball.

We're probably a little bit behind, obviously we'd like to be at the top of the league James Ratcliffe

"It's about completing your sets, getting to the right end, and building pressure at that end.

"We needed to win today to stay with the pack."

The fixtures have given the Knights a very early return game against Keighley on the May Bank Holiday Monday.

"We played in a quagmire (at Cougar Park when they lost), hopefully we'll get a decent pitch, we're undefeated at home so we can hopefully carry on.

As for the season so far, Ratcliffe said: "We're probably a little bit behind, obviously we'd like to be at the top of the league."

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