Festival fillip

The York International 9s being played at Heworth ARLC today and tomorrow is sure to bring the rugby league-loving crowds flocking to the Minster city, and the Knights could have been onto a winner in the attendance stakes, with not only RL followers but also York 9s teams and officials likely to have gone to Huntington Stadium to take in some National League action.

Unfortunately, though - as discussed in the Press when the fixture list was drawn up - the Knights were handed an away game in Workington.

Nonetheless, there are still many benefits - and long-term benefits included - to be had by the Knights, not least the fact rugby league is getting wonderful exposure in the city through this international competition.

Naturally, the club are giving their full backing to the event and indeed have not been slow to associate with it.

As revealed by the Evening Press last week, the club have sponsored the new plate trophy in the competition, whereby the teams who do not progress to the knockout stages in the main Fairfax Trophy competition compete instead for the York City Knights Shield. The Fairfax Trophy, of course, was created for last year's inaugural event where it was won by the London KooGas.

"It's a chance for us to be involved and to get our name associated with what we believe is an excellent event," said Knights chief executive Steve Ferres.

"I said last year it was a very well organised event and it was great at the time for York, having not had a pro' rugby league club for some time.

"There is a club now in York and this tournament is expanding, which is great for the sport in the city.

"We're trying to develop rugby league in the city and in North Yorkshire so any event in York that involves rugby league and rugby league development is going to be good for the game in the area and in turn good for the Knights."

He added: "We're disappointed we've not got a home game which could have maximised exposure to the game over the weekend but that was not to be due to forces outside our control.

"But we're bothered not only about the Knights but also about the game as a whole and this is an excellent event that looks like staying with us for many years."

THE Knights are still going to have a big presence at the York International 9s this weekend, despite their match in Cumbria.

It could well be a lucrative presence too, as the club are going to be selling merchandise during the event at Elm Park Way on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Regarding merchandise, the Knights have launched yet more new lines, including ladies' and gents' watches and mini rugby balls.

Clever Trevor ups the tempo

TREVOR Krause extended his lead in the Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire player-of-the-year standings last week, despite the fact Danny Brough took the most plaudits.

Aussie Krause, who has switched from hooker to loose-forward following the return of fit-again Lee Jackson, put in a truly workaholic performance in the win at Hunslet, and not only did he make countless telling tackles but he also scored a fine opening try which sent the Knights on their way to victory.

He was pipped to the man-of-the-match award by Brough but nevertheless the two points picked up increases the gap at the top to three.

Brough was superb at scrum-half, allying a great kicking game to some fine handling and he too scored one of the Knights' tries.

As is usually the way when victors put on a superb team show, it was a close call for all the player-of-the-year points, with the remaining point on this occasion going to in-form stand-off Scott Rhodes.

The Knights' man of the match each week, as deemed by the Evening Press, wins three player-of-the-year points, the second-best player gets two points and the third-best one point.

Whoever tops the table at the end of the season wins £300 courtesy of Collier Plant Hire, with the runner-up winning £150.

Player-of-the-year standings: Krause 15pts, Smith 12, Hayes 12, Broadbent 8, Jackson 8, Brough 8, Cain 7, Fletcher 6, Hallas 6, Law 6, Rhodes 6, Ramsden 4, Thaler 3, Callaghan 3, Godfrey 3, Lloyd 3, Beever 3, Bolus 1.

You are fan-tastic - Rammo

KNIGHTS star Mick Ramsden went on the web this week to thank the fans for their support at Hunslet last Sunday.

As reported by the Evening Press, a massive turn-out of York followers helped swell the attendance to the biggest at South Leeds Stadium this season, and furthermore they out-shouted the home fans as the Knights roared to victory.

Chief executive Steve Ferres was quick to acknowledge the backing via the Press, and Ramsden passed on the thanks of the players via the club's website messageboard.

"The support at Hunslet was fantastic," wrote the long-serving second-row. "It really lifted us all. Thanks, from all the lads."

PLACES are still available on the Knights' Supporters' Club bus to Workington Town tomorrow.

The coach will leave Huntington Stadium at 10am, with the other pick-up points being: New Lane (bus stop near Anthea Drive), 10.05am; Dodsworth Ave (near 109) 10.10am; Clarence Street (opposite vets) 10.15am; Blossom Street (opposite Odeon) 10.20am.

The price is currently £12 per head (£5 under-16s) but may come down depending on how many more people take up the offer. Late tickets can be bought via club secretary Leanne Cooper on 01904 413457.

There will also be a bus travelling to the London Skolars away game on July 20. Anyone interested is asked to contact the Knights office on 01904 656105, ensuring they stipulate they want to go by coach, as there is a separate list for the train and hotel package.

FANS are reminded that next week's match against Chorley Lynx is now an away fixture.

The game was originally scheduled as a home tie but the two matches against Chorley have been switched, with the home tie now being on Sunday, August 31.

The Knights' next home game is against leaders Keighley on July 13.

QUIZ fans are reminded the Knights will be holding a general knowledge quiz at Huntington Stadium on Thursday (7.30pm).

The current 'Quiz Knight' crown - as if I haven't done enough boasting already - resides with the Evening Press sportsdesk team.

It costs £1 per person with a maximum of four per team. All are welcome. Call Phil Seymour on 01904 656105 for details.

Cross code wingers

IT was interesting to note the York cross-code coincidence in the match against Hunslet Hawks last week.

For when debutant Rob Kama replaced veteran Leigh Deakin on the wing, it was a case of one previous York RUFC winger coming on for another.

Knights trialist Kama has just spent 18 months at Clifton Park, helping the side win promotion to North Two East last season, while seasoned league campaigner Deakin was there intermittently in the 1990s and again for a few months in 2001 as he recovered from a long-term knee injury.

FORMER York City Knights player Darren Robinson made his debut for Sheffield last weekend as the Eagles won at Workington Town.

Robinson, who left Huntington Stadium last month, started the game on the bench for the Knights' National League Two rivals having now signed a permanent contract at the Don Valley Stadium following a trial period.

Former Knights centre Gareth Lloyd, who left the club about the same time as Robinson, was also in action last weekend, for Doncaster in their defeat to Hull KR in National League One.

YORK-based Dan Potter may remain at Boundary Park a while longer as Oldham Roughyeds look to continue his loan period.

The New Earswick All Blacks product has been at the National League One side for a month after being loaned out by Super League side Widnes, and the two clubs have reportedly been discussing an extension.

DID anyone else notice that three days after the Knights announced their new sponsorship deal with Arriva Trains Northern, it was revealed that train fares in Britain were set for an above-inflation price rise.

Putting two and two together, you could come to the conclusion that there must be a link, but it seems those fares were likely to be across the board, not only for Arriva. In other words, it is just coincidence.

On that note, Arriva Trains must be congratulated for the support they are showing not only the Knights but rugby league in general.

Updated: 11:20 Saturday, June 21, 2003