THE step up from academy and reserve-grade rugby to starting every game in the Betfred Championship is often a daunting prospect, but it’s one that new recruit Oli Field is relishing at the York Knights.

Field, 20, initially joined the Knights on a one-month loan deal from Betfred Super League heavyweights Leeds Rhinos in March, but has now made his move to the LNER Community Stadium a permanent one.

Whether in the second row or as a stand-in at half-back, the youngster has played almost every minute in that time, having been thrown in at the deep end, but that is something that he has enjoyed.

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 “I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” Field admitted.

“It’s not easy sometimes when you’ve been dabbled in, but I think that I’ve played pretty much every single minute, which I’ve really enjoyed. I’ve loved it to be honest.

“The first couple of games were a bit of a step up when I’d been used to playing once every couple of weeks in the reserve league.

“The intensity and the level of the game is definitely a step up, but it’s one that I think that I’ve taken to a little bit now and I’m looking forward to kicking on for the rest of the year.”

When asked what factors have been the most prominent in his step up, Field said: “It’s a lot more physical.

“The reserves has been a bit of a mixed league with some academy lads but also some first-teamers, that’s how it’s going to be.

“The step up in intensity and the step up in the speed of the game took me by surprise a little bit at the start but I think that I’ve adjusted to it well and I feel like I’ve got used to it now.

“I’m just looking forward to hopefully doing a lot more of this in years to come.”