ASH ROBSON has hailed the local rugby league talent in the Minster city after being joined by yet another fellow York Acorn product in the York City Knights ranks.

Reece Rushworth, currently on trial with the League One champions, made his Knights bow as a substitute in the Boxing Day friendly at Bradford Bulls - becoming the fourth player on the Odsal pitch to have come through the junior ranks from amateur outfit Acorn.

And Robson - whose path took him from Thanet Road to Castleford Tigers being joining hometown club York two years ago - lauded it a particularly proud moment to play on such a famous stage alongside mates he had grown up with.

"I think I got halfway through a Facebook status about it. It's nice to see and I was pretty proud about it," said the 23-year-old, who was a regular in the Knights' title triumph last season.

"It all shows there is local talent and it's good that we're taking advantage of that."

Joe Porter, Rushworth's older brother and formerly an Acorn Player of the Year, signed pro forms with York two winters ago after passing a trial with flying colours, while Matt Chilton penned an extended deal in October after first joining the Knights on transfer deadline day in July. They also played against Bradford.

Robson, who capped a fine individual show by scoring the second York try in the 20-12 friendly defeat, said: "It was nice for me.

"I've grown up with Acorn lads. Chillo's older brother (Antony Chilton) is one of my best mates and I went to school with Reece. He was a year below me at Hob Moor Primary and York High.

"Chillo is my brother's age and they knocked around together a bit. Joe Porter is a bit older but he also went to the same school as me.

"I was pretty proud that there were four of us on the pitch against Bradford."

He added: "Fordy (head coach James Ford) and Jon Flatman (chairman) are getting a good relationship with Acorn. They had a good relationship with Rents (departing Acorn coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul) and I think they're getting one with Josh Mortimer, who is coaching there this year.

"Josh has been down to watch a few of our sessions, which is good, and hopefully that relationship can continue."

Porter penned an improved pro deal last April which will keep him with the club until the end of 2020. Club chiefs had been quick to move after two tries in the BBC-streamed Challenge Cup clash against star-studded Catalans Dragons lifted the 25-year-old's profile throughout the sport.

When asked if sibling Rushworth could follow in those footsteps, Robson said: "I don't see why not.

"He's a bit like Porter in that he will tackle anything and he will run at anything. He will always give 100 per cent no matter what.

"It was a shame he had to come off (against Bradford) with that bad gash around his eye.

"When we signed Porter, that was my first year at York and Fordy had asked me if I knew any good forwards from Acorn and I said, 'Yes, Joe Porter's definitely one'.

"It was good that York gave him an opportunity - I don't think he'd had one before (at pro level) and he's taken it with both hands."

Robson, meanwhile, has hailed how well the newcomers to the squad have settled in this winter, with six new recruits signings being joined in the ranks by trialists Rushworth and Dave Petersen.

"It's gone really well," he said of pre-season. "I think a notable point would be the fact everyone has gelled quickly - we're a tight bunch from the off.

"It's been tough but there's been a lot of skill work involved in both attack and defence, so it's been enjoyable too.

"Compared to how it used to be when you got flogged all the time, Fordy has made it as enjoyable as possible. Don't get me wrong, it's not been easy - it's been tough and they've made it hard - but it's been good."

Of the run-out against Bradford, who won promotion to the Championship behind York last season, Robson said: "Everyone was disappointed not to beat them, that goes without saying.

"But, apart from the result, there were a lot of positives to take from it and areas we can work on. We've had all our stats through and I'm sure Fordy will take us through a proper video session.

"There were quite a lot of new faces in there. We've got the likes of Graeme Horne, Benny (Cockayne) and Scotty (Sam Scott) - some of the more senior boys - to come back in. When you're without leaders like that, you are going to miss them, but new lads stepped in and gelled pretty well."

Of the incomers, he said: "Kevin Brown has been a character in the camp with his dry sense of humour. He did a good job (against Bradford). I think Bassy (Jason Bass) did well. He's got a good attitude and he's a good bloke as well, like all the new lads - they're a good set of blokes.

"I thought Jack Teanby was really good - he was maybe my pick of the new lads on the day."