CASTLEFORD half-back Jamie Ellis made a surprise return from injury last night - playing for York City Knights under-20s reserves.

He turned out on dual-registration terms, alongside Tigers team-mates James Clare and Ben Reynolds, and duly scored a hat-trick in a 58-0 York win over Keighley U20s.

The Super League outfit had wanted their 24-year-old former Leigh and Hull star to get a run-out as he comes back from injury, having torn a pectoral muscle on the first day of pre-season in the autumn, and Championship One partner club York agreed to his late inclusion.

Another hat-trick scorer for York was Tyler Craig, who shone in the back row to earn a call-up to the Knights' first-team squad for Sunday's Challenge Cup tie against Whitehaven.

Clare also crossed, while Reynolds, who made his Knights first-team bow in last Sunday's 28-26 league win over arch-rivals Hunslet, booted nine of ten conversions.