PRE-SEASON friendlies are notoriously indifferent indicators of players, teams and how a campaign will pan out, but, judging by yesterday's game against Leeds Rhinos, it would appear York City Knights have discovered another Australian gem.

Peter Fox grabbed the headlines in the Knights' 38-24 win at Bootham Crescent with a debut hat-trick against the club from whom he is on loan.

However, arguably the most encouraging performance came from another of the 12 new-boys on show, Chris Levy.

The former Western Suburbs reserve, looking much leaner than when he first arrived in York following his European holiday, was busy and inventive at scrum-half, and his sponsors' man of the match award hints he could well follow the acclaimed Aussie footsteps of Trevor Krause and Simon Friend, as well as fill the void left by Danny Brough.

It was also interesting to note new coach Mick Cook put Jim Elston in from the start, with the experienced Lee Jackson, who was the regular starting hooker last year, and Neil Thorman, the highly-rated former Gateshead number nine - who had a blinder after coming on in the second half - on the bench.

Every fit player in the squad was given his chance, though, especially once reasonably regular substitutions came into effect, more so in the second half. And the fact those changes hardly affected the fluidity of the side, with many of the subs impressing, suggests Cook will have a difficult task of choosing a starting 17 once the campaign opens.

Granted, victory only came once Leeds' big names had left the fray, but it was even stevens up to then and few could argue the Rhinos offered a stern test throughout.

They were far stronger than the side beaten in a corresponding fixture this time last year, especially to start with when they had two players - Marcus Bai and Willie Poching - who starred in the Grand Final triumph, five more who have played in Super League, most notably giant prop Wayne McDonald, and several more who have just been promoted from the Academy to the first-team squad.

It took them four minutes to take the lead through Nick Scruton, with Liam Botham - son of cricket legend Ian - add-ing the first of his three goals.

The Knights hit back as Yusuf Sozi blasted over, with Paul Thorman - who did well enough on his debut at stand-off - kicking his first of two conversions.

Lee Smith put Leeds back ahead but Elston put impressive new prop David Bates over and Levy won a penalty for Thorman to level again.

Jordan Tansey profited from a Daz Callaghan slip to score, with Smith's goal giving Leeds a half-time 18-12 lead, but, with all of the Rhinos' big names off the pitch, York took control in the second half, with the visitors crossing only once more, Scruton grabbing a late consolation.

By then, Fox had scored his hat-trick - and also pulled off a wonderful try-saving tackle - and Callaghan stretched over to make amends for his earlier blunder. Austin Buchanan lit the place up with a trademark break, and debutant Chris Ross marked his second-half entrance with a fine try and two goals.

Knights: Blaymire, Buchanan, Potter, Callaghan, Fox, P Thorman, Levy, Sozi, Elston, Sullivan, Ramsden, J Smith, Paterson. Subs (all used): Jackson, Cain, McDowell, Forsyth, Bates, Liddell, N Thorman, Kane, Ross. Tries: Sozi, Bates, Fox 3, Callaghan, Ross. Goals: P Thorman 3, Ross 2.

Rhinos: L Smith, Bai, Watson, Buttery, Gardner, Murrell, Gallagher, Scruton, I'Anson, McDonald, Botham, Ablett, Poching. Subs (all used): Feather, Golden, Stenchion, Gibson, Tansey, Gordon, Williams, Brown, Tootill. Tries: Scruton 2, Smith, Tansey. Goals: Botham 3, Smith.

Ref: Ronnie Laughton. Att: 3,509.

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, January 04, 2005