YORK Knights head coach Andrew Henderson believes that the growth and maturity of young second-rower Oli Field has become apparent over the course of the season.

Field, 20, has established himself as a regular for the Knights after joining on loan from Betfred Super League heavyweights Leeds Rhinos in March, prompting Henderson to tie the forward down on a deal until the end of the 2025 season in May.

The promising young forward had made just 11 senior appearances before joining York in the spring, with all but one coming in spells with Betfred League One clubs Cornwall and Oldham last year, but has become an ever-present in the Knights’ forward line, starting in all but one of his 18 matches.

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And he has repaid his head coach’s trust in him well, scoring four times, including a brace in their 26-22 victory over Betfred Championship strugglers Newcastle Thunder in May, and after connecting with Ata Hingano’s sublime delayed pass in the torrential downpours at London Broncos last Sunday.

Playing predominantly on the Knights’ left edge alongside AJ Towse, James Glover and more recently captain Chris Clarkson, Field’s performances have certainly caught the eye.

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“I’m really impressed with Oli,” Henderson told The Press. “He’s turning into a really fine player for us to be honest.

“Even in the short time that he’s been with us, I’ve seen the growth in him as a player. It’s almost like the boy’s becoming a man. That’s what I’ve seen these last few months.

“When he first walked through that door, we could see that he had that potential and that he had something there. We identified that, and I could see that he’s got something there.

“That’s why I wanted him in at the club, and I’ve just seen him each week just getting better and better as he starts to get more accustomed to this level of rugby league and more accustomed with his teammates and what we’re asking of him.

“I think that he’s done a tremendous job for us and we’re very, very lucky to have his services, for not only this year, but for the future as well.

“I think that he’s an exciting talent and he’s a player that is just a good fit for us.

“I think that the way that he plays and the way he is, he has all the attributes personally, but also as a player, that are the right fit here for us at York.

“I’ve been very, very impressed with his performances, but also how he conducts himself around the organisation as well.”