RAMPAGING centre Neil Law has not ruled out returning to York City Knights next season - hopefully when the club are in National League Division One.

Law, along with on-loan full-back Jonny Woodcock, said farewell to Huntington Stadium yesterday after the Knights beat high-riding Barrow Raiders 28-16 to boost their promotion aspirations.

The try-scoring hitman, who was always contracted to return to Otley RUFC ahead of their season, leaves after 12 games for the Knights in which he scored 11 tries. Ironically, his failure to score yesterday made it two scoreless games on the trot - his worst sequence since coming to York.

He said he was sad to go but would still go to games to cheer on the lads.

"I wish I could stay until the end of the season but I've another year at Otley and they're expecting me back," he told the Evening Press. "York tried to get me to stay on this year but there's a contract over there.

"There is a possibility of coming back come the end of Otley's season but we will have to see what comes about. I would definitely consider it. I've enjoyed my time here, they're a great bunch of lads and it's a good set-up.

"Promotion is possible this year. We dug it out yesterday and it was a good win. It would be good to have a bit of consistency now over the four (remaining regular season) games and then in the play-offs. They can do it. I will be coming down to watch."

He added: "Barrow are a top side, they're up there with the best in the division, so it was good to get the win. I'm disappointed not to get any tries - but I've scored enough."

Boss Paul Broadbent was delighted with the victory, which took York one place up the table to fifth. "There are things we need to work on but the guys came up with what we were looking for," he said.

"Every game from now on is like a cup final and we've got to go for it. We're more than capable of going all the way but it's up to us to do it on the day."

The Knights had started on the back foot but never trailed and threats of a Barrow comeback were kept at bay.

"The guys dug in really deep with the stamina they showed," said Broadbent. "They showed great mental strength as much as anything else and they came through.

"A lack of possession early on kept us in our own half but when we started to get that right we looked better.

"The guys came up with some quality defence when they needed it. One slip and Barrow's tails would be up but we fronted up really well, worked really hard and controlled them."

Broadbent, never keen to single players out, had praise for outstanding duo Trevor Krause and Lee Jackson.

"Trevor has been an outstanding player for most of the season," he said. "You get a good performance every time. Even when he's not making breaks he's still doing a really good, solid job and quietly doing his work behind the scenes.

"Lee Jackson has said he's been disappointed with his performances - he's very critical of himself, which is not a bad thing as it means you're looking to play the best you can. But he's come up with a better performance. We wanted him to test their defence and look for little holes and he's done that."

Updated: 11:42 Monday, August 11, 2003