A TITANIC fight-back almost brought York Wasps a remarkable first pre-season win at Featherstone Rovers last night.

The Wasps looked dead and buried when they trailed 24-6 at half-time. But in the appropriately named Lionheart Stadium, a much improved second-half performance, coupled with a complete change in Rovers personnel, saw York get to within six points of the home side.

They just fell short at 30-24 but there was much to admire about the Wasps' display which was more impressive than the 8-0 defeat by Hunslet last week.

Coach Lee Crooks said: "The first half was very disappointing. Last week we were defensively strong but this week we were defensively poor in the first half. We allowed Featherstone to play the ball quickly so we were on the back foot. Our kicking game wasn't very good and we lacked direction.

"But in the second half we controlled the ball better, looked more organised, defended better and created more problems.

"I think even if Featherstone had kept the first-half team out we'd still have given them a run for their money."

The change in York's fortunes coincided with a change in half-backs. The first half saw new signing Gareth Oulton at scrum-half and Matt Mulholland at stand-off in place of Paddy Handley, who missed the chance to take on his former team because of a neck muscle problem.

The inexperienced pair didn't cause too many problems for the Rovers defence, although Oulton showed his potential by creating the opening try after less than two minutes. Full-back Jamie Benn was first to react to Oulton's perfectly placed grubber kick to touch down under the posts and leave himself an easy conversion.

The Wasps had few other chances to make an impact though, and Rovers stormed into a comfortable lead with tries by Jamie Stokes, Richard Chapman, Neil Lowe, Nick Simpson and ex-York captain Craig Booth.

In the second half, Rovers fielded a completely new team which lacked the experience of their powerful predecessors.

There were changes for the Wasps too with Chris Allen taking over at stand-off and Gareth Dobson switching from hooker to scrum-half.

They helped to direct the Wasps play, with Spencer Hargrave, Jamie Benn and Andy Hill becoming increasingly influential. There was another fine display too from prop Craig Forsyth, who has looked the stand-out player in the two friendlies.

Those factors combined to unleash a more determined and organised Wasps outfit who were duly rewarded with three tries in ten minutes.

After 52 minutes, Alan Pallister crashed over under the posts after a one-two with Forsyth, then Benn followed up Dobson's grubber kick to score his second of the night.

Benn's two conversions gave the Wasps a sniff of victory which became a real possibility when Hill touched down.

Benn's mammoth kick from the touchline left them just two points adrift but four minutes from time, Rovers hooker Gavin Swinson went over from acting half to clinch the win for the home side.

York complete their pre-season programme at home to Gateshead Thunder next Sunday when Crooks expects to field his strongest side.

Rovers: (first half) Rhodes, Stokes, Spurr, Simpson, Bramald, Bastow, Rooney, Dickens, Chapman, Booth, Evans, Lowe, Dooler; (second half) Riley, D Williamson, S Smallman, Jordan, Turner, Gibson, Barnett, Morgan, Swinson, Clarkson, L Williamson, Helliwell, Darley, S Smallman.

York: Benn, Rumford, Butterfield, Moore, McKenzie, Mulholland, Oulton, Smith, Dobson, Hagan, Hill, Lloyd, Hargrave. Subs (all used): Pincher, Forsyth, Pallister, Precious, Allen, Briggs.

Referee: Nick Oddy