Player-coach Paul March plus the 10 other players, who recently left York for South Leeds Stadium, watched from the stands as the hosts, buoyed by victories over Hull KR and Castleford, took charge with a first-half hat-trick of tries from second row Chris Clough.

The Hawks took the lead with a try from centre Nathan Goodman, converted by Darren Robinson, before Clough touched down after a Chris Thorman grubber kick.

Lee Waterman added the goal and was on target again soon after when Blakeway scored after a Thorman high kick.

Blakeway sent Clough over for his second try and after Hunslet substitute Scott Bradley was sin-binned for slowing down the play-the-ball York profited with a try from Danny Wilson. Waterman added both goals.

Clough scored his hat-trick try, and Thorman landed the first of three conversions before Waterman was also shown the yellow card for slowing down the play-the-ball.

The Hawks replied just before the break as full-back Stuart Kain crossed for a score which Robinson converted to make it 30-12 but early in the second half Danny Ratcliffe touched down for the hosts.

Winger Wilson added his second try for York and Casey Bromilow added a fine score before, with former York man Joe Helme in the sin-bin, Luke Hardbottle bagged his first try for the Knights to round off their success.

York City Knights: Ratcliffe, Reittie, Mitchell, Waterman, Wilson, Thorman, Bromilow, Applegarth, McLocklan, Benson, Clough, Hill, Blakeway. Subs (all used): Ross, Hardbottle, Freer, Peacock, Helliwell, Waller, Lewis.

Hunslet Hawks: Kain, Straughan, Goodman, Sheldrake, Richardson, Robinson, Scott, Brook, Firm, Helme, M Kelly, Aitcheson, Young. Subs (all used): Lacey, Crosby, Stead, Greer, Lilywhite, Dale, Tomlinson, West, Bradley.

Referee: Dave Merrick.

Attendance: 353