YORK City Knights have been given more tickets for Sunday's National League Finals Day after selling out their initial allocation within two-and-a-half hours.

The Knights were originally given 650 tickets for the triple-header showdown at Widnes, in which they face Halifax (3pm) for a place in LHF Healthplan NL1, while Leigh take on Whitehaven for a place in Super League and Coventry Bears play Warrington-Woolston in the NL3 Grand Final.

But with people queuing outside the club's offices from 8.30am yesterday - tickets officially went on sale at 10am - they were quickly sold out, forcing club chiefs to ask the Rugby Football League for more.

The allocation was increased by 350 to 1,000, though it is expected that these, too, would be all gone early today.

The office at Huntington Stadium will be open until 6.30pm tonight for people to collect their tickets.

York fans had been angered by their initial allocation - the Knights have averaged 1,500 at home and takebig travelling contingents to away games - but a spokesman for the RFL explained the allocations to the six competing clubs was calculated on a percentage basis.

The three NL1 clubs involved - Leigh (average 2,000), Whitehaven (1,900) and Halifax (1,700) - had higher gates this year and so were given a bigger share of tickets. Leigh and Whitehaven each received an initial 1,500, with Halifax getting 1,000.

The remaining tickets, minus those given to sponsors, are on public sale, open to supporters of all clubs (tel RFL Hotline on 0870 9901313). The capacity of Widnes' Halton Stadium is about 11,000.

The Knights sold their allocation on a 'first come first served' basis, deciding against giving preferential treatment to vice-presidents and season ticket holders because of logistical reasons on the advice of the RFL.

Of their initial allocation, 450 were for the North Stand and 200 for the West Stand behind a goal. The extra 350 tickets were all for the North Stand.

Updated: 10:48 Tuesday, October 05, 2004