DAREDEVIL Darren Callaghan propelled himself towards the top of the Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire player-of-the-year table last week.

His Evening Press man-of-the-match accolade in the win over Sheffield saw him pick up three player-of-the-year points and he also collected the bonus point after topping the fans' vote, which leaves him just one behind leader Scott Rhodes.

Captain Lee Jackson joined him after his masterful display saw him pick up one player-of-the-year point, while the remaining two points went to Yusuf Sozi, who whose big-hitting bonanza was a prominent feature of the game and helped the Knights overcome the heavier Sheffield pack.

Winger Mark Stewart can count himself most unlucky not to get on the points-sheet after his two-try display, as can scrum-half Danny Brough, who tormented the Eagles' defence and tackled like a man twice his size.

Latest standings: Rhodes 14pts, Callaghan 13, Jackson 13, Ball 11, Brough 10, Friend 10, Graham 7, Elston 7, Godfrey 5, Forsyth 5, Stewart 5, Langley 3, Sozi 3, Briggs 2, Cain 2, J Smith 2, Wood 1, Hayes 1, Andrews 1.

TALKING of Mark Stewart, it appears the Aussie enjoys doing things two by two.

The 23-year-old, who joined York towards the end of last season, notched two tries in the 34-16 defeat of Sheffield on Sunday, continuing his run of scoring only in pairs.

His first double came in the 36-32 win over Chorley in August last year while his second came in the memorable 36-26 Arriva Trains Cup group stage defeat at Featherstone last month.

Furthermore, his two tries last season came in four games, at an average of one every two games, and his four so far this season have come in eight games, again at an average of one in two.

Ironically, Stewart has donned the number two shirt more than any other this season - but is yet to score a try in it.

Updated: 08:32 Saturday, May 08, 2004