YORK City Knights were today given a major confidence boost ahead of Sunday's Arriva Trains Cup semi-final as they received gongs aplenty in the LHF Healthplan National League Two monthly awards.

The Knights dominate the divisional form team, with wing sensation Austin Buchanan being named the Player of the Month, just pipping second-row team-mate Simon Friend to the top honour.

No fewer than four York players were named in the top XIII - which was unveiled in today's Rugby League World magazine - with Buchanan and Friend being joined by Lee Jackson, labelled the division's best hooker during June, and Damian Ball, the ace loose-forward who is now ruled out with pulled ankle ligaments.

Danny Brough was also named the division's second-best scrum-half during the month.

Knights coach Richard Agar said: "I'm delighted for him (Buchanan). I believe it came down to a choice between Austin and Simon Friend so from the club's point of view it's marvellous to have two blokes fighting for a top award."

The Knights have remained unbeaten so far this month during an eight-game winning streak, and have risen to the top of the NL2 table and reached the ATC last four, where they visit Hull KR on Sunday, albeit with a squad decimated by injury and unavailability.

Buchanan, who moved to Huntington Stadium from Leeds Rhinos only last month, has played five games for the Knights, scoring six tries, including five in the last two games.

Agar added. "The fact Austin has won is hard to argue against. Since he's joined us he's been on fire. The crowd gets excited every time he touches the ball and he also does a lot of work that goes unnoticed.

"He's scored some marvellous tries but not just that, his play in general has been superb and from our point of view he's been a great addition to the squad.

"It's not often that wingers get recognition with these awards and this goes to show just how well he's done to get noticed like this."

The NL1 Player of the Month, meanwhile, was Featherstone prop Stuart Dickens, whose side have gone from relegation candidates to play-off contenders during June.

Call the Knights office before 5pm today to secure a ticket for Sunday's semi-final at Hull KR. Bookings for seats on the Supporters' Club bus can also be made on this number before 5pm today, or thereafter on 0781 4716195. No bookings for the bus will be taken after 11am on Sunday. Match tickets will be available on the turnstiles subject to availability.

Form file:

NL2 Form Players, as voted for in Rugby League World magazine:

Wingers: 1 Austin Buchanan (Knights), 2 Adam Pate (Barrow Raiders), 3 Matthew Woodcock (Workington Town).

Scrum-halves: 1 Darren Holt (Barrow Raiders), 2 Danny Brough (Knights), 3 Martin Gambles (Chorley Lynx).

Hookers: 1 Lee Jackson (Knights), 2 Jonny Limmer (Workington Town), 3 Neil Thorman (Gateshead Thunder).

Second-rowers: 1 Simon Friend (Knights), 2 Andy Raleigh (Sheffield Eagles), 3 Wayne Freeman (Hunslet Hawks).

Loose-forwards: 1 Damian Ball (Knights), 2 Danny Barton (Chorley Lynx), 3 Mark Cantoni (London Skolars).

Updated: 10:44 Friday, June 25, 2004