A FEW things happened in the past week to show that belief is still in abundance at Huntington Stadium - and how important that could prove.

In chronological order, the York International 9s, while critics might describe it merely as a bit of light relief, proved that York City Knights have not got a losing mentality sweeping through the club.

We all understand this festival is not as important as the LHF Healthplan National League season and, indeed, the need to stay in Division One.

But winning the tournament was no mean feat, especially in the manner they did so, not least in a ding-dong final against a decent Batley team.

If the Knights were resigned to losing, as could have been the case given their NL1 run, they would probably have given up the ghost once the Bulldogs went in front with not long left, but they still believed they could do it.

That belief is something they will need in bucketloads now if they are to beat the odds and beat relegation.

Which leads me on to the second point.

For Mick Cook to be awarded a contract extension this week not only provides valuable continuity at a critical time, but also shows the board at Huntington Stadium have strong faith in him as a head coach.

They believe he is the best man to take the club out of the drop zone or, even if that is not possible, bounce straight back up next season.

Such belief has not been seen at the Knights' relegation rivals, with each of the three clubs around them at the foot of the table having parted company with their coach at some stage in the season.

It is a vote of confidence for Cook and also means that planning for next season, no matter what division they are in, will not be disjointed by a change of leadership.

Which leads me onto my next point. That the likes of Rob Spicer and Dave Buckley seem set to stay on next term, no matter what division the club is on, shows the belief they have in the Knights.

It is a belief that the club can beat relegation and that Huntington Stadium is a good place to be.

And for them to give their backing at this stage of the season, with the Knights in the predicament they are in, is a massive boost not only for next season but also for this.

It is a statement which says, "I like being at the Knights, I think we can stay up and I desperately want us to."

Staying up won't be easy, probably improbable, but with this kind of belief in the ranks, it is still possible.

KNIGHTS chairman Roger Dixon commented last weekend how the York 9s underlined just how much rugby league has moved on in York since that festival was first mooted five years ago.

Professional rugby in York had gone belly-up and there was little if any rugby played in local schools. Interest in rugby league in York was arguably at an all-time low.

But the 9s has played its part in reviving the game in the Minster city, a revival that looks more than capable of continuing, even if the Knights are relegated to National League Two.

Five years ago, professional rugby in York was in tatters - York Wasps could only dream of a relegation battle! - there was no rugby played in schools and the future looked bleak.

Now we have more schoolkids playing rugby - be it contact rugby or tag - than perhaps ever before, with a good knock-on effect for amateur clubs; a pro' club which has earned the right to play in National League One; and an ever-growing 9s tournament, which this year drew a record attendance of 1,643 - the highest rugby crowd last weekend outside Super League and the Northern Rail Cup final, despite competition from York Races, Imphal Barracks open day, the Rowntree Park celebrations and the lure of the sunny seaside.

Last week's tournament might also have helped the Knights in their NL1 relegation fight.

It brought light relief - and, indeed, success - and, perhaps more importantly, it provided the likes of props Nick Staveley and Joe Helme, as well as hooker Jamaine Wray, with good exercise to top up their fitness.

Indeed, anyone who tried to break into a jog that day, under such a blisteringly hot sun, will understand how much energy playing 9s rugby must have taken.

HOPEFULLY, there will be a good knock-on effect for the first team in tomorrow's vital match against Halifax.

They, of course, had a week off after the Whitehaven game, a match which saw Jonny Liddell at last get on the Press/Collier Plant Hire Player of the Year leaderboard.

Inch-perfect kicking gave the hard-working 23-year-old a man-of-the-match maximum three-point haul - surprisingly his first points, despite a consistently industrious season - while another big effort by prop David Bates (2pts) and a decent run-out by substitute Lee Lingard (1pt), who mixed into the attack with one try and another ruled out, saw them pocket the other points.

Bates thus jumped, almost silently, into second place in the standings behind longterm crock Jason Golden, who makes his long-awaited return tomorrow.

Player of the Year standings: Golden 21pts, Bates 14, Buckley 13, Rhodes 12, Elston 12, Blaymire 9, Wray 8, Law 8, Spicer 7, Paterson 6, Fox 6, Farrell 5, Hasty 5, Fox 4, Liddell 3, Buchanan 3, Smith 3, Spurr 3, Bovill 2, Potter 1, Lingard 1, Forsyth 1.

Brave show by York U21s

YORK City Knights Academy put up a brave display in defeat against a strong Halifax side in their latest game.

York's ball retention improved after half-time and tries by prop Liam Watling and hooker Paul Thorman on 51 and 55 minutes, both goaled by scrum-half Danny Giles, brought them back into the game at 24-12 only for Fax to extend the margin to 46-12 by the hooter.

Thorman was one of only two players in the York side to have played first-team rugby, the other being young Nathan Priestley, while Fax had nine first-team squad men involved, including the experienced Andy Hobson, Simeon Hoyle and Danny Jones.

TICKETS are on sale for the Knights' 2006 Players' Presentation Evening.

The event will take place on Friday, September 22, in the Voltiguer Suite at York Racecourse.

Tickets are priced £45 and include drinks reception, three-course meal, coffee and mints, awards presentation, disco and entertainment into the early hours.

Last year's event was, as it always has been, a massive hit and indeed a sell-out, and people are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Anyone interested should call Leanne at the Knights, on 01904 758234, or download a booking form from www. yorkcityknights. co. uk