YORK Wasps etched a small piece of rugby league history for themselves last week - but only after a short tour of Tameside.

As reported in the Evening Press, the Wasps took part in the first-ever senior rugby league match staged at Hurst Cross, the home of Ashton United FC, and centre Carl Hall's second-minute try was the first in senior rugby at this ground.

However, it did not all go as planned as the coach taking the Wasps players to the game struggled to find the cramped little ground among the terraces of Ashton, before eventually rolling up outside the small main stand.

In addition, the loud speakers in parts of the ground gave up before the game, leaving fans unsure of the line-ups on view.

But other than this and the ground's confined parking arrangements, the occasion was deemed a success as a lively atmosphere - the fans were almost on top of the players - added to a fine game of rugby.

It was damp, cold and raw, but the ground met with approval from many 'home' Oldham fans and also Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey.

"It reminded me a lot of Wigginton Road with the fans able to get so close to the players," she said.

"It was a tight little ground so that when there are a few supporters in it generates an excellent atmosphere."

For the record, the encounter was not the first rugby league match to be played at Hurst Cross, as the old Oldham RL club had staged a few reserve/junior games at the ground some years ago.

Updated: 13:39 Saturday, January 12, 2002