TEENAGE second row Carl Barrow has become the first trialist on York Wasps' books to have his trial forms extended.

All the hopefuls who registered with the club at the beginning of the season, or early last month, saw their test period come to an end on December 31, and the club have since been considering whether to renew their forms or not, or even offer permanent deals.

Nineteen-year-old Barrow, who came through the junior ranks at New Earswick All Blacks and was also on Wasps' Academy books, tried his luck with the first team squad last month after switching from All Blacks, and obviously did enough in training to warrant a one-month extension.

The former Castleford Alliance youngster has played only five minutes' first-team football for Wasps - in the 22-18 defeat by Batley - but was named on the bench for both of their postponed matches, against Hunslet on Boxing Day and Swinton on New Year's Day.

York Acorn youngster Andy Lee registered over the festive period with his forms lasting until the end of January, but decisions were yet to be confirmed regarding all the other early season trialists.

Chief executive Ann Garvey said coach Leo Epifania would make all the playing judgements. "We have spoken over the last couple of days about these players and will continue to look at the situation over the next few days," she added.

Of those other trialists, New Zealander Ceri Penharwood has been playing Yorkshire League rugby for Heworth 'A', while Scott Acklam, who played four times last term and in the season opener against Whitehaven, has not been seen at Huntington Stadium since his no-show in the debacle at Barrow.

Callam Irving, who featured six times last term, is currently away, so no decision will be made on his future until he returns, while former Pocklington rugby union flanker Carl Stannard has missed the last month through illness, so has been handed another four-week contract.

IF ever anyone wanted a new year to bring with it an upturn in fortunes then it is Oldham, the Wasps' opponents tomorrow.

The Roughyeds suffered yet another blow this week when boss Mike Ford quit the club to become the latest rugby league coach to take up a position in union, having been offered the post of defensive coach with Ireland RU.

For chairman Chris Hamilton, who accused the Irish of effectively 'tapping up' his man before offering a financial package he could not match, it all rounded off a miserable month for the Lancashire outfit.

One of the favourites for the Northern Ford Premiership title before the term began, the Roughyeds had been forced out of their Boundary Park lodgings after Oldham Athletic FC upped the rent, and had to settle on Ashton United's Hurst Cross ground as their new home-from-home.

Their first game there this term, scheduled for December 2, was called off because of police safety fears and they have lost the two games they have played so far this season, being hammered by title rivals Leigh 46-12 last Sunday, earning three yellow cards in the game.

Ford's blow came 24 hours later, with Alliance coach Mark Knight given the caretaker role.

Let's hope they endure at least one more bad day before their season takes a turn for the better.

THE Sonny Nickle fiasco continued this week with the news that the St Helens prop will still have to sit out all of his ban in the Super League.

As reported in the Evening Press, Nickle rejoined Saints from Wasps' rivals Barrow last week, having signed for the Raiders at the start of the NFP season with five games of his nine-match suspension still hanging over him.

Critics claimed then that he only ever signed for the Raiders in order to see out his ban in the NFP, and was always going to return to Knowsley Road.

However, it has now become apparent that the controversial move to Cumbria will not count towards his suspension, as he was never officially registered as a player with the Furness club.

For the record, Saints claimed they only asked for Nickle to return after a move for Aussie prop Barry Ward fell through - though Ward has since been granted a work permit. Barrow, on the other hand, were "gutted" Nickle left, but said they had not lost out financially as money paid out was returned by Saints.

The Raiders, meanwhile, have earned the NFP Club of the Month award, having marched into the top four of the table with three wins, including that 66-0 hammering of Wasps.

FORMER Wasps' favourite Rich Goddard this week saw his points-scoring record come to an end because of injury.

The Sheffield Eagles skipper had scored in 24 consecutive matches - the longest run in the NFP at the time - but was rested for the Eagles' latest match, which ended in victory over Doncaster, because of a hip injury.

He was expected to be fit for Sheffield's trip to Keighley on Sunday.

Points on ice:

AS the festive fixtures were postponed, there has been no change in the Evening Press/Guildford Construction player of the season table for three weeks.

Forward Mick Docherty, who has picked up points in every game, still leads the way from fellow new-boy Carl Hall.

The Wasps' man of the match in each game receives three points, the second best player gets two points and the third best one point.

Whoever tops the table at the end of the season will receive £350 courtesy of Guildford Construction, with the runner-up winning £150. If there is a tie, the player with the most man of the match accolades will come out on top.

Player of the Year standings: Mick Docherty 6pts, Carl Hall 4, Jon Liddell 3, Mark Cain 3, Andy Precious 1, Ben Sorbello 1.