BATTLING Oxford RL were unable to prevent high-flying York City Knights from recording a straightforward 50-6 victory at Tilsley Park.

The Blues fell to a nine-try defeat for the second time in succession as the Kingstone Press League 1 promotion chasers proved too strong.

Luke Gardiner did cross for Oxford, but it proved to be only a consolation.

The visitors opened the scoring on 13 minutes, when Adam Robinson marked his debut with an unconverted try to make it 4-0.

York thought they had stretched their lead moments later when Mark Applegarth went over, but it was ruled out because of a forward pass.

However, they did not have to wait long for the second try as James Moreland crossed. Danny Nicklas kicked the extras.

Oxford looked to respond, but they were unable to make a good spell of pressure count.

York made them pay on 31 minutes as Robinson crashed over again.

Nicklas missed the kick as Knights led by 14 points.

There was still time, though, for the visitors to increase their tally ahead of the break, as Austin Buchanan picked up on a Gardiner error to score.

Harry Tyson-Wilson added the extras to make it 20-0.

York effectively killed off the contest with three tries in the opening nine minutes of the second half.

Tyson Wilson, Adam Dent and Pat Smith all dived over, with the former converting all three scores to make it 38-0.

Oxford’s misery was compounded on 61 minutes when Jordan Crowther went through under the posts.

Tyson-Wilson, once again, added the extras.

The hosts did get off the mark through Gardiner’s try, which Danny Allan converted.

But it was only a consolation as York had the final say, with Jack Anderson crossing and Tyson-Wilson kicking the extras.