COACH Mick Cook might not be a big fan of it, but there's no doubting York City Knights have already benefited from the introduction of the controversial new points structures in the National Leagues.

A quick look at the Cooperative National League Two table is enough to tell you that. Knights may have only won one of their first three league encounters but they have managed to collect a bonus point in each of their losses against Gateshead Thunder and Hunslet Hawks.

So despite a disappointing two defeats from their opening three games, the Knights have already picked up the equivalent of a draw in extra points - numbers which could be crucial come the end of season shakedown.

It took strong minds at the Rugby Football League to revolutionise the points structure - awarding three points for a win, two for a draw and one for a defeat by less than 12 points.

Replacing the traditional tried and tested system, of two points for a win, one for a draw and nothing for a loss was always likely to split the gamut of opinion.

Cook isn't very enthused with the scheme, believing teams should not be rewarded for losing matches. When asked about the bonus point, he said: "I don't particularly believe in bonus points".

When the new structures were first unveiled in January, the Knights coach said he hoped it would make little difference - as he believed his side would be competitive enough to avoid having to settle for mere bonus points.

But is it really the big shake-up it has been made out to be? In rugby union, where a bonus point scheme has been in operation for a good few years, the addition has made for more exciting games and a better spectacle - exactly the reason why the RFL introduced the system into rugby league in the first place.

With an extra point awarded for a team scoring four tries and for losing by less than seven points, the change in union has encouraged teams to push on for extra scores while, on the other side of the coin, it wills teams to try to fight back in games which would otherwise be lost.

With attendances soaring in recent years in the Guinness Premiership, there can be little doubt the bonus point - which is also used in rugby union's Heineken Cup and the World Cup - has been a significant addition to the game's armoury.

So while critics may argue that NL2 is being turned into nothing more than a mathematician's playground - admittedly the end of season promotion race is likely to have far more permutations than previously - it also rewards competitiveness and ensures many more games are played right until the final horn has sounded.

Barring the Barrow way

KNIGHTS are reminding supporters that tomorrow's Northern Rail Cup knock-out clash with Barrow Raiders is not covered by the club's season ticket package.

However, fans will need their season tickets to gain access to the bar after the match, which will be restricted to a limit of 200 people. Admission prices are adults £11, children and concessions £8. There is a £2 transfer fee available to the seating area once in the ground.

KNIGHTS STAT ATTACK

GOOD BOYS

Press player of the month awards: Ian Brown 1, Lee Mapals 1.

Press man of the match awards: Brown 2, Esders 2, Rayner 2, Spicer, Wray, Cakacaka, Helme, Mapals, Williams all 1.

Trade paper man of the match awards: Wray 3, Helme 2, Mapals 2, Thackeray 2, Rayner 2, Williams, Rhodes, Liddell all 1.

Tries: Mapals 7, Brown 6, Rayner 6, Thackeray 5, Buckley 5, C Spurr 4, Elston 4, Potter 3, Helme 2, Dunmore 2, Rhodes 2, Smith 2, Esders 2, Cakacaka 2, Priestley, Liddell, Sullivan, Wray, Grundy, Lingard, Spicer all 1.

Goals: Wray 25/37; Gargan 8/0; Lingard 6/9, Liddell 2/5; Rayner 0/1.

BAD BOYS

Penalties for York: 98.

Penalties against York: 99.

Yellow cards for York: MacDonald 2, Esders 1.

Yellow cards for opposition: Gateshead 2, Toulouse 2, Keighley 1.

Red cards for York: 0.

Red cards for opposition: 0.

Brown fends off rival

IT'S as you were at the top of the table in the Press/Collier Plant Hire Player of the Year standings.

Rob Spicer's man of the match display in the Knights' 19-14 loss to Hunslet last week earned him three points and that has lifted him into third place in the rankings, but Ian Brown still holds on to the top spot by a solitary point.

Scott Rhodes (2pts) jumps into a three-way tie for fourth place, while Dan Potter registered his first point to get his season's charge up and running.

Standings: Brown 10pts, Mapals 9, Spicer 8, Esders 6, Wray 6, Rhodes 6, Helme 5, Buckley 4, Rayner 4, Cakacaka 3, Williams 3, Elston 2, Spurr 2, MacDonald 1, Potter 1, Sullivan 1, Thackeray 1.