THE contribution made by burly centre Neil Law to York City Knights' rise up the table has not gone unnoticed by either the club or rugby league writers.

The former Sheffield Eagles and Wakefield Super League star has already proved his worth to the Knights with five tries in four games since signing from rugby union outfit Otley.

And his efforts have brought praise from Knights chief executive Steve Ferres and in addition have seen him named in Rugby League World's National League Division Two team of the month for May.

"He's got a great try-scoring record and he's proven that with us," said Ferres.

"He's been a very useful acquisition for us and he's got a great attitude which reflects on other players. We can't underestimate the contribution he has brought to the club."

As revealed by the Evening Press, Law joined the Knights from rugby union club Otley, with an arrangement to return to the West Yorkshire outfit for the start of the 15-a-side code's next season.

This, of course, would mean him missing the Knights' run-in and potential play-off campaign, though there is little doubt most fans would want him to stay at Huntington Stadium for as long as possible.

Law, voted second best centre behind Keighley's Matt Foster in the Rugby League World poll, becomes the second Knights player to make it into a National League Two team of the month, following Trevor Krause, who was picked at hooker in the April selection.

The Aussie star came close to keeping the number nine shirt after making the shortlist for the May selection, this time being voted third-best hooker. Team-mates Danny Brough and Scott Fletcher also just missed out on making the select team, being voted second-best stand-off and third-best second-row respectively. The overall award for May went to Hunslet Hawks stand-off Phil Hasty.

THE Knights' supporters' club are running a bus to the match at Hunslet (kick off 3.30pm) a week tomorrow.

Pick-up points and times are: Haxby Memorial Hall 1.05pm, Huntington Stadium 1.20pm, New Lane (opposite Anthea Drive) 1.25pm, Dodsworth Avenue 1.30pm, Clarence Street (opposite vets) 1.35pm, Blossom Street (opposite Odeon) 1.40pm, Tadcaster Road (Marriott Hotel) 1.45pm.

All bookings are via Leanne Cooper at the club office on 01904 656105 by 5pm Friday or subsequently via Mike Miller on 01904 750500, leaving name and number. Prices are expected to be £5 per person.

FORMER York Wasps coach Lee Crooks made rugby league history 16 years ago this week as he was transferred for a then record £172,500. The fee for the Great Britain international was paid by Leeds when he moved from Hull.

Super Smith surges into second spot

HARD-HITTING full-back Chris Smith has re-ignited his bid for Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire player-of-the-year honours after his man-of-the-match display against Swinton last week.

Smith, sure-footed in defence and ever-eager to help out in attack, scored two of the Knights' seven second-half tries to cap his superb individual display, and the three player-of-the-year points gleaned from his performance moves him up to joint-second place alongside captain Rich Hayes, one point behind Trevor Krause.

Half-back Danny Brough, whose kicking game troubled the Lions in the first half, stayed ever-busy in the second half and his efforts gleaned him two player-of-the-year points.

In what was a true team victory, almost any player could have won player-of-the-year points. Second-row Mick Ramsden - who set up three tries - and stand-off Scott Rhodes were particularly unlucky not to get on the sheet, with the final point instead going to hooker Lee Jackson, who kept the Knights on the front foot even when defences were on top.

Player-of-the-year table: Krause 13pts, Smith 12, Hayes 12, Broadbent 8, Jackson 8, Cain 7, Fletcher 6, Hallas 6, Law 6, Rhodes 5, Brough 5, Ramsden 4, Thaler 3, Callaghan 3, Godfrey 3, Lloyd 3, Beever 3, Bolus 1.

IT was ironic to see that the cocksure Swinton fan who brought an inflatable to the match at Huntington Stadium left the ground as deflated as his little friend.

For those lucky enough not to notice, a supporter wearing a Lions top started waving his, ahem, large inflated 'member' on the Pop Stand, and even slapped it onto the running track before being told by stewards to put it away.

Adult humour it might have been, but we all want rugby league to remain a true family sport.

That apart, the atmosphere at Huntington Stadium created mainly by the home fans and added to by the visitors, was superb and after the game the Lions' acting chairman, Richard Taylor, was the latest in a line of visiting officials to say it was among the best they had come across.

EXTRA bookings are being taken for the weekend trip to the capital ahead of the London Skolars v Knights match on July 20.

Interest in the cut-price offer organised for Knights fans has exceeded expectations, but more rooms in the hotel can be booked. However, organisers need to know as soon as possible if any more people want to go. Anyone interested should contact Leanne Cooper at the Knights' club office, tel 01904 656105.

The cost of the trip is £70, which includes dinner, bed and breakfast at Holiday Inn and return train fare from York to Kings Cross (depart York 10.27am on Saturday, return from Kings Cross 7.47pm Sunday, arriving back in York at 10.02pm). Not included are transfer from Kings Cross to hotel, travel to the New River Stadium ground, or match ticket. West End show tickets can also be arranged at extra cost.

Updated: 11:17 Saturday, June 07, 2003