CHRIS Langley gave himself an outside chance of snatching the Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire Player of the Year crown last week with a man-of-the-match performance at London Skolars.

The centre notched a hat-trick on his way to collecting the three-point haul in the standings, and now that the Knights look likely to have to go through the play-offs, there may be enough games for him to overhaul the leaders if he continues this form.

Three of the top two also picked up points, however. Third-placed Danny Brough moved closer to the top by picking up two points for being deemed the second-best player, while Scott Rhodes went back to joint-top by collecting the remaining point.

The fans' vote was far from unanimous, but saw Simon Friend just pip several team-mates to the bonus point.

Standings: Jackson 28pts, Rhodes 28, Brough 25, Ball 21, Langley 18, Friend 17, Callaghan 13, Elston 11, Sozi 9, Wilson 7, Graham 7, Cain 6, Forsyth 6, Buchanan 6, J Smith 6, Godfrey 5, Stewart 5, Briggs 2, Farrell 2, Ramsden 2, Wood 2, Walker 2, Hayes 1, T Andrews 1.

NO fewer than 11 players were in the running for the Player of the Month award as voted for by Evening Press readers, following the Knights' 100 per cent record during August.

The award is decided via readers' votes for their man of the match in each game, with whoever receives the most votes over the course of the month picking up the gong.

Previous winners are Simon Friend, Scott Rhodes, Darren Callaghan, Austin Buchanan and Yusuf Sozi. The winner for August is a new name and was to be revealed before today's home game against Workington Town.

All the fans who send in votes had the chance to present the award to the victor before today's game, and the name drawn out of the hat was young Jordan Martin, of Malton, whose face-painting antics have already appeared in the Press. He also won two VIP tickets to the match.

To vote for your man of the match each week, email peter.martini@ycp.co.uk or send a postcard to Peter Martini, Evening Press Sportsdesk, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Updated: 10:37 Saturday, September 04, 2004