CLEARLY disgruntled at being knocked off top spot in the Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire player-of-the-year standings, Trevor Krause immediately hit back with a man-of-the-match display in last week's win over Barrow.

The three player-of-the-season points gleaned took him back to the summit, ahead of Danny Brough, who, although taking the sponsors' man of the match, just missed out on any Evening Press points this week.

Lee Jackson kept in touch with a two-point haul from his best display for some time, while Darren Callaghan just pipped fellow second-rower Mick Ramsden and Brough for the remainder thanks to his fine efforts, which included a lung-busting try.

Latest standings: Trevor Krause 18pts, Danny Brough 16, Rich Hayes 13, Scott Rhodes 13, Lee Jackson 13, Mark Cain 12, Chris Smith 12, Neil Law 10, Paul Broadbent 8, Scott Fletcher 6, Graeme Hallas 6, Rob Kama 5, Alex Godfrey 4, Mick Ramsden 4, Darren Callaghan 4, Adam Thaler 3, Gareth Lloyd 3, Chris Beever 3, Craig Forsyth 1, Jonny Woodcock 1, David Bolus 1.

APPARENTLY, Knights office staff have been vehemently trying to persuade the Krauses to remain in England following their decision to return to Australia after this season.

As reported, Trevor and his wife, Kylie, who is a club secretary, are to go back home after one year in York, a determining factor being that they are expecting their first-born in February.

One of the arguments for remaining was so that their child would have the advantages of dual nationality. (Of course, there was a hint of selfishness in that as it would mean Krause jnr would be eligible to play for Great Britain.)

"It would be nice to have dual nationality," admitted 27-year-old Kylie. "But we want to be around our families." Fair enough.

Contrary to some allegations, Trevor did not add: "No child of mine will play for the Poms."

INCIDENTALLY, when Knights chairman Roger Dixon announced in his after-match speech in the stadium bar on Sunday that the Krauses were expecting, the cheer that followed was almost as loud as that which greeted Trevor's try an hour or so earlier.

THE Knights Supporters' Club bus to Swinton tomorrow for the Knights' final away league game of the season will cost £5 a head.

It will depart from Huntington Stadium at 12.15pm with pick-ups at New Lane (opposite Anthea Drive) 12.20, Dodsworth Avenue (next to No 109) 12.25, Clarence Street (opposite vets) 12.30, Blossom Street (opposite Odeon) 12.40, Tadcaster Road (Marriott Hotel) 12.45.

Late bookings need to be in by 11am tomorrow via 01904 750500 leaving name and number.

APOLOGIES in advance for any poor puns that appear in the Evening Press as regards the name of new signing James Brown.

No doubt James himself is bored stiff by them, but sometimes you have to put up with this kind of thing. After all, it's a man's man's man's world.

WINGER Rob Kama will be hoping he can cross the whitewash for real at Swinton tomorrow, having come close to 'stealing' a try in the Knights' last away match at Gateshead.

The PA announcer - his vision no doubt blocked by other players - declared that Kama had scored for the Knights, but in fact it was Darren Callaghan who had crossed the whitewash.

Kama was nevertheless happy to turn to the fans and gleefully accept the cheers of the Knights faithful, but there was one thing giving him away - he had been substituted by this time and was sat on the bench.

RIKKI Sheriffe, who scored three tries in four games while on loan at the Knights from Huddersfield Giants earlier this year, played for Halifax in the Super League last weekend.

The teenager came off the bench for the relegation-bound West Yorkshiremen during their 40-0 defeat at Wigan.

Updated: 11:17 Saturday, August 16, 2003