York Knights claimed a historic 36-24 win against the Huddersfield Giants as Cody Hunter led them to a first Magic Weekend victory.

Tries from Jon Bennison, Cody Hunter, Nikau Williams and Denive Balmforth secured back-to-back wins for the first time since they joined Super League.

Despite Huddersfield being the most successful team in the history of Magic Weekend, this loss meant they were still winless under head coach Jim Lenihan.

Both teams showed attacking intent in the first 10 minutes of the match, as York Knights’ second-rower Oli Field went close to scoring before a knock-on from close range.

Huddersfield’s Tanguy Zenon thought he had also scored before referee Tara Jones had his try disallowed for offside.

The first try of the game came when Jon Bennison touched down in the 12th minute after he finished off a scintillating Knights attack on the right edge to score their first Magic Weekend try.

The Giants responded swiftly after Chris Patolo crashed over the try-line in the 20th minute to give Huddersfield a 6-4 lead. 

Moments later, stand-off Cody Hunter restored the Knights’ lead after sensational footwork allowed him to run past Giants defenders from five yards out and power over the try-line. 

Mark Applegarth’s Knights obtained a strong grip on the lead when former West Tigers winger David Nofoaluma scored a try to give his side a 14-6 lead with just two minutes left in the first half.

Both teams were trading blows in the second half with Jim Lenihan’s Huddersfield scoring first through Zane Dunford, before Nikau Williams registered York’s fourth try just six minutes later to restore their 20-12 lead.

York were gaining momentum and control in the game through the front row, with the physicality of Paul Vaughan and precision of Paul McShane alleviated pressure for the Knights to be more expansive.

The Knights tested the Huddersfield edge defence which struggled and were not a match for them in the second half.

Three tries in 10 minutes saw the game slip away from the Giants, with Nikau Williams, Denive Balmforth, and Cody Hunter all adding to York’s lead..

Jon Bennison scored his second try of the game as he strolled in untouched on the right-hand side in a carbon-copy of his first try to seal a memorable victory for the Knights.

Oli Russell and George Flanagan both scored late consolation tries which weren’t enough to change the final result as they fell to a defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.