IT WAS peppered with fisticuffs and finished early when the power went out.

But that is why Adam Rooks is pumped up to be facing York once again tomorrow.

Last month’s friendly at the Tetley’s Stadium was anything but at times as the Knights finished with just 11 players following a big scuffle.

That has just whetted the appetite for the teenager, though, as the Bulls hit the road for the first time in their Championship campaign.

It could potentially be York’s last bow at Bootham Crescent before their long-awaited move to a new community stadium, further adding to what is sure to be another spicy encounter.

Rooks, on a season’s loan from Hull KR, is new to the rivalry but the young second-row cannot wait to get stuck in again.

He said: “It was a class game last time so I’m really looking forward to this one.

“York will be itching to get the win as well having lost (to Toulouse) last week. They have a marker set on us but we want to beat them just as much.

“Potentially it’s their final game there and we both need a big two points to get the season rolling.”

Rooks saw enough in the narrow loss to London Broncos last week to feel that his new club will be competitive in this year’s competition.

“It would have been a different game if we didn’t go two tries down in the first 20 minutes,” he added.

“We need to start quicker and firing – that’s what we did second half and blew them out of the water.

“I think the lads stuck in really well when you think that they’ve come down from Super League, they’re a full-time team and full of good players.

“To only lose by four – and we were actually the team ahead in the second half – was a good performance.

“That was a marker set last Sunday. Our attitude is always first class and when we turn it on, we feel we can beat any team.

“We have done a lot of work on defence and it is showing. We’ve got a class pack with leaders like Steve (Crossley), Engy (Anthony England) and Sam (Barlow).

“If we keep working on that, it will come together soon.”

Rooks made six appearances for Hull KR last season and Tony Smith has sent him out on loan to toughen him up with the demands of playing in the no-nonsense Championship on a regular basis.

It is an opportunity that the youngster is determined to make the most of.

Rooks said: “I am loving it here and all the boys have made me feel settled. I was itching to get here and have been buzzing to get to work.

“Tony just said this year will be a good marker for me at a good level. It is what I needed.

“I feel this season is massive for me to have a good season with the Bulls.

“If you switch off in the Championship you’ll be out of the team next week.

“We have a lot of competition for places with lads coming through. If you have a bad game, you’re out but that’s good because it makes you play better.”

John Kear has never been afraid to give youth its chance and the streamlined squad this year means more opening for the club’s rising academy products.

Rooks has been impressed with how the likes of Brad Gallagher, Ebon Scurr and Thomas Doyle are taking their chance.

“I think you need that homegrown talent. They have all been standout in pre-season and if they carry on as they are, they’ll be in first team every week.”