IT was interesting to note who was chosen as Club of the Week in the rugby league publication League Express.

The weekly trade paper picks a club, player, story and quote of the week as part of their page two comment, and for the former accolade they plumped for Gateshead Thunder for getting their first points of the LHF National League Two season with a 29-20 win over Blackpool.

Now, without wanting to take anything away from former Yorkie Dean Thomas and the work he is doing up on Tyneside, was that really more impressive than the Knights' sensational hammering of leaders Dewsbury?

Granted, it was Gateshead's first win in the league, but they have won more games than Blackpool this season if you include the Northern Rail Cup matches, while the Panthers have endured a difficult week, releasing their entire playing squad and re-signing many of them on new terms in a bid to secure the new club's future.

On the other hand, you could run out of superlatives to describe York's comprehensive thrashing of the Rams.

AS for Blackpool, let's wish them well in their battle to re-establish the game in the seaside town in this their first season back in the league.

Not only would it be good for the sport, but it also provides fans of other clubs, not least the Knights, with a weekend away in Britain's favourite resort.

ONE of Doncaster Dragons' former Knights, Dale Cardoza, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a multiple leg fracture.

Cardoza, who was a disappointment in his loan spell at York last season, suffered a double leg break and a broken ankle against Hull KR.

ANOTHER former Knight, Neil Mears, who played in the club's inaugural season, 2003, is also facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging a cruciate knee ligament in Hunslet's win over Gateshead a fortnight ago.

HUNSLET Hawks coach Roy Sampson is reportedly considering a move for Leeds Rhinos Academy three-quarter Calvin Watson. The youngster played five times for the Knights earlier this year, scoring two tries, though his loan spell ended abruptly after an indifferent performance in the defeat to Swinton.

Updated: 10:35 Saturday, April 30, 2005