THEY may be barely out of short trousers in some cases, but York City Knights boss Gary Thornton can't help but be impressed with the big game mentality of his developing side.

Despite slipping up to Oxford and being bested twice by Gloucestershire All Golds in Championship One this season, the Huntington Stadium young guns have pulled out some impressive performances in the biggest games - most notably hammering title rivals Hunslet Hawks 40-0.

It's a side to the squad that has thrilled Thornton, knowing the Knights will ultimately need to win a one-off Grand Final if they are to achieve promotion to the Championship.

With the season approaching the "business end" according to the head coach, what he is trying to do is develop a consistency within his outfit that will allow them to perform week in and week out.

"You get that with young players," he said when asked about the inconsistencies that have sometimes plagued his team through the campaign so far.

"I am not blaming this on a young squad but we have got a young squad. They will do good things within games and follow it up with something fantastically poor.

"They are learning the ropes so we have had some inconsistency. We have been missing some senior players. Jonny Presley will be missed this week and Lee Paterson is out - players who add a bit of the stability you need.

"Brad (Brennan) is only 20-years-old so you do get that inconsistency but I have been impressed with how we have done in the big games - the two Hunslet matches and Gateshead last week was massive for us.

"There was a bit of pressure on us after Gloucestershire and Gateshead, on the back of the partnership with Newcastle Falcons, are a different entity. In these games young lads stepped up really, really well.

"Gateshead threw everything at us in the first 20 minutes but they showed real maturity to come back into the game. I am really pleased with how they are developing but, with a young squad, you have to develop week by week."

Thornton believes that some of the Knights problems against the so-called 'minnow' sides of the division have been a direct result of the club's relative success this season.

Up towards the summit of the league, they are there to be shot at. With the likes of Oxford, Hemel, Gloucestershire and, in the past few weeks, South Wales Scorpions showing improvement on last season and clear development, the Knights chief believes they are not the walkovers they might have expected to have been.

And with enthusiasm aplenty and a desire to scalp their more experienced opponents, they have had the potential to cause the Knights a serious headache.

That has led Thornton to lay down a challenge to his side as their promotion drive really starts to step into gear.

"I am challenging the boys that every game, between now and the end of the season, is a big one," he added. "When you are up there at the top of the league you are everyone else's cup final.

"That's what we have to contend with - knowing they all want to beat York City Knights. With Hemel and Oxford, they are nowhere near as good as us skill-wise, but enthusiasm is something that can get you a long way.

"We have to develop a mentality that every game is going to be a cup final. It is going to be theirs and we have to try and make it ours. Our objective is to finish as high as possible to get an easier route through the play-offs.

"We are getting to the business end of the season now. There are nine tough games left. We want to compete consistently well and the players are focused on it."

THE Supporters Club (KISS) are holding an Hawaiian BBQ Party night at Huntington Sports Club on Saturday, July 19, starting at 8pm.

The evening will see a quiz, bingo, Hawaiian themed party games, a BBQ and a late disco.

Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for under 16s, and are available from all committee members, from the venue or from Gary Hall on 01904 634902.

A selection of players and coaching staff will be attending the event.