YORK City Knights’ scholarship scheme is continuing to bear fruit – with three more players having signed semi-professional forms with the club.

Selby-based Ash Winstanley, Scarborough youngster Kristian Brining and Malton’s Tom Holmes will all make the step up next term – the latter’s recruitment signalling a rare move into traditional rugby union territory.

Winstanley, a full-back or winger, has been on the scholarship for three years, while loose-forward Brining and stand-off Holmes, both of whom can play in a variety of positions, have been on the programme for four years, from under-13s to U16s.

All three starred this year when the Knights U16s played against other clubs – including Super League outfits – for the first time, while they have been regulars for the North Yorkshire Service Area select team, with Winstanley and Holmes going on to Yorkshire camps.

The Knights are now hoping they can follow in the footsteps of Joe Dey, Jamie Stuart and Eddie Smith, who made the same move 12 months ago and are making big strides at open age level, Smith having played in two of the last three first-team matches.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “They are very promising players and have got a great attitude.

“They have just started out on a weights programme with the Knights – which is what Joe, Jamie and Eddie did when they signed – under the guidance of Chris Thorman (Knights player/assistant-coach), and they will link up with the first team squad for pre-season training (in late autumn).

“They will probably play reserve-grade next year, but they are only a year younger than Ed Smith, who has played for the first team recently, so you never know.”

Winstanley played his junior rugby for York Acorn and, latterly, Wetherby Bulldogs, while Brining and Holmes both came through the New Earswick All Blacks set-up.

Wilson was quick to praise the coaching they had received from those amateur clubs. He added: “We have to thank the amateur clubs for all their work and their input. Without those clubs and the quality coaching they provide, we wouldn’t be able to produce players like this.”

• York quintet in Featherstone scholarship success – see Park Life free inside today’s Press.