YORK City Knights captain Chris Levy today described lifting the LHF National League Two trophy as the best moment in his career.

The Aussie's first season at Huntington Stadium has seen the Knights promoted to NL1 and they were presented with the trophy immediately after the match against Workington Town yesterday.

And for 27-year-old Levy who has captained sides for 12 years, it was a magical experience.

"In 15 years of rugby league I've never lifted a trophy," said Levy, who was returning to life as a teacher today at Lowfields School following the summer holidays.

"I've played in the NRL but I've never been able to do this, so it's up there as number one in my book."

Levy's side actually lost the game 20-18 as Workington completed a league double over the Knights courtesy of a late comeback.

The stand-off, the home team's man of the match after a two-try show, said: "It probably put a downer on things for the first ten minutes after the game as we were all disappointed that we'd lost.

"We knew we had the presentation and we had a chat together and said we would worry about the game at training on Tuesday and that we deserved the presentation because of what we'd achieved over the season. We said, 'let's enjoy it,' and we did.

"It's been a good season. The most disappointing thing is that Workington beat us twice and we've lost three games but we're top of the table and you can't complain about that. We're going up to Division One next year and that will be a whole new challenge."

The trophy presentation was made by Rugby Football League president Phillip Hindle and Darren Moulds, a representative of league sponsor LHF Healthplan.

A stage was erected on the pitch at the end of the game, with fans allowed to watch the event close up from behind barriers. Head coach Mick Cook collected his medal first before the players went up in alphabetical order, after which Levy lifted the trophy to the sound of fireworks, cheers, champagne bottles popping and celebratory music. The Workington players also stayed on the sidelines to applaud their opponents.

Cook said the post-match celebrations were great, despite the defeat. "The club pushed the boat out and got a real quality presentation for the players and staff," he said.

"It makes all the hard work worthwhile. The lads, the coaching staff and everybody away from the football side have worked hard. It's been a great achievement for everybody concerned."

Knights chairman Roger Dixon in his after-match speech referred to the Knights' at times nerve-racking achievements this season, 12 months on from their play-off heartache.

He said: "It's on a day like today that one can afford to be generous and celebrate (even in defeat) a wonderful game. I wish Workington all the best in the play-offs and I'm just glad I'll be able to watch the final without getting through approximately 68 Benson & Hedges."

Updated: 10:30 Monday, September 05, 2005