TRY-SCORING sensation Neil Law reckons York City Knights are set to soar up the National League Two table.

The Knights' run of six wins in seven games has seen them climb only to sixth place as results elsewhere have tightened up the top half, but they are now just three points off top spot and one point off third place.

And victory at Huntington Stadium on Sunday could see them leapfrog three teams including visitors Sheffield, a side the Knights twice defeated in the Arriva Trains Cup before losing away to during their dodgy start to the league campaign.

"Sheffield have had some good results but we're at home and hopefully we will get the big crowds down again to get behind us," Law told the Evening Press.

"Obviously we want to put in another good performance for the fans and keep going from there.

"Keighley (who are top of the table) lost again last weekend so our win (at London Skolars) and the points difference would have helped us close the gap.

"Everyone is confident and we feel we can kick on and get better. We've got to keep playing consistently but we feel we can win promotion."

The former Wakefield Trinity star is contracted to for Otley RUFC and is due back at Cross Green in three weeks, but in the meantime he is determined to do his bit for the Knights' crusade.

His first game for York was in the shock 16-16 draw at home to struggling Skolars, but since the following week's defeat at Keighley, in which Law crossed twice, the Knights have hit form - with Law taking his tally to ten in just nine games with his touchdown at New River Stadium last week.

"The Skolars home match was my first game and it was disappointing but we put that right last week. It was good to get 60-plus points against them.

"My try-scoring record here is pleasing. I wanted to come here and score tries and I'm doing that, and I want to keep doing that until my time is up."

Meanwhile, chief executive Steve Ferres has confirmed the signing of back-rower Dave Smith from Batley Bulldogs, as revealed by the Evening Press yesterday.

The 30-year-old previously played for York Wasps and Keighley Cougars, latterly under the Knights' assistant coach, John Kain, who was head coach at Cougar Park at the time.

Ferres said: "He is an experienced player who we are pleased to have on board with a view to strengthening our squad for the run-in and hopefully the play-offs.

"There are only seven games left of the regular season and it's important we try to bolster the squad. We are still on the lookout for players to add competition for places and hopefully Dave will do that.

"He's a back-row forward and effectively will be a replacement for Scott Fletcher, who we have unfortunately had to release."

Updated: 11:37 Friday, July 25, 2003