HE used to have a monopoly on these things so it was probably about time Jack Aldous picked up another personal award - albeit at skipper Jack Lee's cost.

Prop Aldous has been voted The Press Player of the Month for April, some 13 months after his last such accolade - pipping March winner Lee in the poll.

It may have been fitting had 25-year-old Lee been handed the award tomorrow on the occasion of his 100th appearance for the club, especially after scoring a try in each of the three games this month, but Aldous is a deserving recipient.

He was York's stand-out player in the defeat to Oxford, when he almost single-handedly tried to lift the side out of the doldrums, and he was deemed by The Press to be the third best performer in the win at Gateshead on Good Friday. The pocket battleship was also one of the better players in the narrow Challenge Cup loss at Swinton, which kicked off the month, three days after he turned 23.

Head coach Gary Thornton had praise for both Jacks - Aldous for getting the award and Lee for not only reaching his ton but for being a leading performer throughout that time.

"It's been said so many times before but Jack Aldous is consistently good. We know he isn't the biggest prop but he does big minutes, he's very durable, he doesn't make many mistakes, and he's got a fantastic engine.

"His size isn't a problem for him. He's awkward to tackle and is a difficult customer to get hold off because of it, and he's deceptively strong.

"He also has that footwork just as he hits the line against bigger men which allows him to get his nose through, using his size as an advantage.

"He's started the season very well."

Former Hull junior Aldous was York's The Press Player of the Year in his debut season in 2012 and won the first two Player of the Month gongs in 2013.

Lee likewise enjoyed a debut season to remember - even more so. After joining from Featherstone in April 2010, he made a try-scoring debut in a 36-34 win over Rochdale, was voted Player of the Month in May and June, and was named Player of the Year after helped the team to promotion via grand final success.

It is also pretty notable that he has missed only missed six games in the four years since he signing.

"He's one of the best hookers throughout the Championships," said Thornton of his skipper.

"He takes good options, he's a threat close to the line with his upper-body strength, his range passing is good and he's a clever footballer.

"He's experienced as well at 25. I gave him the captaincy this year as he's a good talker and tells people what is expected, and it's brought a new dimension to his game."

Praise indeed.

Lee still leads the way in The Press Player of the Year leaderboard but Aldous has closed the gap thanks to the three bonus points for the April gong and the point for being deemed our thid-best player at Gateshead.

James Haynes, man of the match against the Thunder (3pts) has also risen up the standings, while loanee James Saltonstall (2pts) got on the leaderboard after a fine debut.

The Press Player of the Year leaderboard: Lee 10pts, Aldous 8, Haynes 6, Paterson 5, Presley 4, P Smith 3, Bell 3, B Hardcastle 2, Saltonstall 2, Minikin 1, Morrison 1, E Smith 1, Mallinder 1, Reynolds 1.

WINGER George Elliott might have been dropped to the reserves this week but he laid claim for a quick recall as York City Knights' second string continued winning form against Halifax Under-20s.

Adam Dent has been named in the team to take on London Skolars in Championship One tomorrow, swapping places with Elliott.

But the former dual-code junior international was quickly on the scoresheet with two tries in the reserves' 26-6 win.

Thursday night's match also saw Tyler Craig put his hand up for first-team recognition, scoring one and setting up two in a fine display at centre.

Forwards Ryan Backhouse and Jack Pickles also impressed, with both put on standby for tomorrow's squad.

The match was marred, though, by a new injury for Jack Iley. York's luckless back-row, who has endured a stop-start season, went off with a suspected broken ankle after being tackled awkwardly when charging down a kick.

Hooker Steven Batty and half-back James Morland also scored tries, with Ben Crane adding three goals. Fax were 26-0 down before they bagged a late consolation.

KNIGHTS boss Gary Thornton may well be a proud dad right now given son Joe's sporting adventure down under.

The 19-year-old former Bury FC apprentice flew out to Australia for a holiday - and ended up penning a deal with Aussie football team Northern Fury, the club who became famous on these shores when signing Robbie Fowler.

The speedy winger, who has helped Brighouse Town to promotion to the Evo-Stik League, went to visit big brother Josh earlier this month and got a trial with the Fury through his sibling's contacts at the club. He was immediately taken on and has signed a deal until his travel visa expires in July, with hopes of going back the following season.

Dad Gary quipped of Joe's preference for the round-ball game: "He's stayed away from funny-shaped balls to protect his good looks."

Northern Fury - then called North Queensland Fury - famously signed former Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester City and England striker Fowler for big bucks in 2008.

They became well-known to York City in 2009, too, albeit in more controversial circumstances. That was then they signed City forward Daniel McBreen on a pre-contract agreement - without the Minstermen knowing.

The Fury exited Australia's top tier, the 'A' League, in 2011 for financial reasons before reforming in 2012 as a semi-pro National Premier League club, with plans to win back an 'A' League franchise.

(Reports in other publications that Josh is also Fury player are incorrect. Josh is more of a rugby league man.)

THIS might not go down too well with some Knights fans but well done to ex-York duo Danny Grimshaw and Lee Mapals, who bagged tries for that Hunslet Hawks lot in their Challenge Cup tie at holders Wigan.

The pair both crossed in the opening quarter, although the Super League giants, as one would expect, were already a few tries to the good.

The final scoreline of 52-8 was comprehensive enough but, in this modern era of money-laden full-timers versus cash-strapped part-timers when giant-killing acts are virtually impossible given the nature of the sport, it's fair to say the Hawks did Championship One rugby pretty proud.

Especially when you think Wigan walloped Bradford 84-6 a few days earlier in the league.

On which note, it was rather startling to see Bradford bounce back from that embarrassment by beating Catalan Dragons in the cup.

FORMER Knights record-breaker Danny Brough is on the verge of another career milestone.

The 31-year-old needs 12 points to reach 1,000 for Huddersfield, having compiled 988 since joining the Giants in 2010 thanks to 33 tries, 425 goals and six field goals in 122 appearances.

The Scotland international half-back, of course, holds the all-time York RL records of 412 points in a season, smashing Graham Steadman's 1984-85 best of 318, and of 178 goals in a season, eclipsing Vic Yorke's record of 146 set in 1957-58. Brough's records were set in 2004, in a 36-match season.

He played a total of 53 games in all for the Knights, scoring 20 tries, 265 goals and six drop goals for a total of 616 points - averaging 11.6 points per match.

A QUICK point. When Danny Brough set his points and goals in a season records for the Knights in 2004, the club played a total of 36 matches. Ten years on, and they'll play only 22, including their two Challenge Cup ties. There has been plenty of talk of player burn-out and player welfare etc, but that's a drop of more than a third.

Something's amiss there.