FORMER York Wasps captain Alan Pallister today expressed he delight at getting back in the starting 13 - and admitted he felt out of it on the sidelines.

The 31-year-old hooker played his first game of the season in the 34-22 victory over Chorley Lynx at Huntington Stadium, after regular number nine Peter Edwards moved to loose-forward.

He was replaced by Scott Yeaman after half an hour, admitting he was lacking in match fitness, but in that time the Wasps remained solid, despite facing a strong wind and driving rain.

"I was glad to be back. It's been hard work getting back into the team but I enjoyed it on Sunday," said Pallister, who had a testimonial last season in his 13th year with the club.

"I was a bit tired when I came off. You can only get so fit in training and need to have matches to build on it."

He added: "Training's been going all right but I had a bit of a lapse a couple of weeks ago. I was not feeling part of the squad but I had a talk (with coach Leo Epifania) and everything seems to be all right.

"I wanted to get back in but the way Peter Edwards has been playing it's been hard, and I appreciate what he (Epifania) has been going through.

"But I felt I deserved a run and on Sunday I got one. I'll now see what he thought and where it goes from here."

Pallister's return coincided with the Wasps' first victory under Epifania and their first win since February last year.

"It would be nice to think I came back and made a difference but I think it was all about the team, not me," he said.

"I did what I had to do but I can do more, but need match fitness.

"For a lot of the game the lads did really well and although we did not stick to the game plan for the whole game we're delighted with the first win."

Epifania said: "He got his chance because we had a few injuries and suspensions, and he did okay. The fact he is an old head with leadership qualities might have helped us a bit, although his match fitness is an issue."

As for next Sunday's trip to Workington, Epifania said no decisions have been made.

However, he confirmed Jonny Liddell would return after suspension, adding: "Everyone who played on the weekend is in contention for the next game but I need to assess the injury situation before deciding on the squad."

Updated: 12:21 Tuesday, March 12, 2002