THE latest rewards of the new improved rugby league development programme in York were being reaped today with the finals of a primary schools tag tournament.

Twelve schools from around the city made it through five tag festivals held over recent weeks to reach today's eight-a-side event - at which York City Knights players and mascot Norris The Knight were to present awards.

Today's spectacle, at Oaklands School, was the first notable event since Jason Ramshaw took up the new post of Knights' development officer, a full-time role afforded through Guildford Construction sponsorship and Sportsmatch funding.

As reported by the Evening Press, this post sees the former Keighley legend head up a development team also comprising Tony Gargan and Mike Kilmartin, of the Oaklands Sports Partnership, City of York Council RL officer Neil Gulliver, Knights players Chris Langley and Damian Ball, who have taken coaching sessions in schools, and coaching ace John Kain.

Ramshaw, who again praised the previous work in schools carried out by the likes of Gargan and Kilmartin, added: "We've got a good organisation set up and we've got things happening, pushing on from the work that has already been done."

The 12 schools competing today were Osbaldwick, Lakeside, St Mary's, St Oswald's, Acomb, Copman-thorpe, Huntington, Wiggin-ton, Westfield, Long Marston, Clifton Without, Wheldrake and Ralph Butterfield.

The teams were to be split into three groups of four, with the group winners plus best second-placed team qualifying for the semi-finals.

The victors are to represent the area in the Yorkshire Youth Games on May 23, while the three semi-finalists plus the next best group runner-up were to be invited to play in a curtain-raiser to the Knights' NL2 match at home to Gateshead, also on May 23.

A report on the finals tournament will be published in the Evening Press next week.

The Knights Supporters' Club will run two buses to tomorrow's game at Barrow.

Prices are adults £10, over-60s and 13-16-year-olds £8, under-12s free. All bookings via Knights secretary Leanne Cooper on 07814 716195 before 7pm today.

Departure times and pick-up points are: Bus 1 - Huntington Stadium (rear car park) 10am, New Lane (opposite Anthea Drive) 10.05, Dodsworth Avenue (opposite shops) 10.10, Clarence Street (opposite vets) 10.15, Exhibition Square (outside theatre) 10.20, Blossom Street (opposite Odeon) 10:25, Ainsty 10.30.

Bus 2 - Stadium (rear car park) 10am, Haxby (Memorial Hall) 10.15, Knaresborough bus station 10.45, Harrogate (Electric Avenue, opposite Focus) 10.55.

CONGRATULATIONS to stand-off Scott Rhodes for winning the second Knights Player of the Month award.

The 23-year-old has been in sparkling form over April, shooting to the top of the Evening Press player-of-the-year table, as well as receiving the fans' plaudits.

The Player of the Month award is voted for by Knights supporters via the Press.

To vote, simply email peter.martini@ycp.co.uk or send a postcard to Peter Martini, Sportsdesk, Evening Press, York, YO1 9YN with the name of your man of the match in the previous game. The player who receives the most votes over the month wins the Player of the Month award, a framed action photograph action courtesy of the Evening Press.

Don't forget, every voter gets the chance to win a pair of VIP tickets to a home game as well as the opportunity to present the victorious player with his award - so always leave a daytime contact number on your email or postcard so we can contact the winner.

Updated: 08:34 Saturday, May 08, 2004