RECORDS tumbled, history was made and one of Britain's all-time greats finally graced a rugby field once again.

Had York not been on the wrong end of a 90-6 hammering, it would actually have been an honour to be at the Auto Quest Stadium yesterday.

Sadly the records were all the wrong way, and Lee Crooks' return to the professional game was a matter of desperation rather than desire.

As soon as the teams were announced, reporters were reaching for their record books in anticipation of the outcome.

Kit man Steve Harris, who had played 80 minutes for New Earswick the previous day, physio Pat Howdle, a fireman with no known playing background and of course Crooks, an international star who had not played a professional match for four years.

All three sat on the Wasps bench alongside Danny Waite, the only recognised player among the substitutes.

The starting 13 consisted mainly of youngsters and others who until recently had been turning out in the National Conference League - Rich Darling, Tim Rumford, Matt Mulholland, debutant Jason Gatus, Nathan Pincher and Adam Briggs.

In contrast Widnes had a team packed with internationals and class - Martin Crompton, Ian Watson, Phil Cantillon, Tommy Hodgkinson and Karle Hammond to name but a few.

The only glimmer of hope for York was that Widnes' team of high-profile stars had so far failed to set the NFP alight.

What a shame they had to pick yesterday to finally show their pedigree.

It was an awesome display from the Vikings who for once lived up to their billing.

Hooker Phil Cantillon smashed the club try-scoring record by running in seven tries, former Warrington speed merchant Mark Forster finally crossed for the 200th try of his career and, with 16 tries and 13 goals, Widnes cruised to their biggest ever victory, beating the 80-0 demolition of Oldham in 1999.

The defeat was also the biggest in York's history, eclipsing the 84-1 Challenge Cup thrashing by Warrington last season.

The rout began just 20 seconds into the game when York hesitated from the kick-off, Widnes pounced on the loose ball and Martin Crompton created the gap for second rower Steve Gee to score.

What followed was a whirlwind of tries which blew the Wasps away by half-time. Incredibly Widnes were 42-0 ahead after just 25 minutes, with Cantillon completing his hat-trick in ten minutes.

Had it not been so painful the Widnes tries would have been a joy to watch, all of them prime examples of fluent, running rugby and perfect passing.

To York's credit they never gave up and were rewarded with a try to match all those which Widnes had put past them.

Paddy Handley made a superb break down the left before the ball was switched to the right where Craig Moore went on a weaving 30 metre run and beat three players on his way to scoring under the posts, leaving Gareth Oulton an easy conversion.

It prompted York's best spell of the first half which coincided with the introduction of Waite from the bench.

He injected some much needed inspiration into the Wasps attack which suggests he could be the man to take over from Gareth Stephens.

But he could do nothing to stop the Widnes rampage continuing in the second half, and neither could Crooks who joined the fray for the start of the second half.

He could make little impact but the fact he was prepared to put himself on the line for the Wasps' cause was contribution enough.

That seemed to be recognised by the home fans who gave Crooks a wonderful reception when he left the field after 25 minutes.

Cantillon went on to complete his seven-try haul and substitute Forster earned the biggest ovation of the day when he reached the 200-try milestone in the final minute of the match.

York were unlucky not to bag a couple more tries, Rumford's touch down in the corner being harshly ruled out for a forward pass by Waite and Moore knocking on when diving for Austerfield's grubber kick.

The only consolation for Wasps fans was knowing they had witnessed a historic day in the NFP, even if it was for all the wrong reasons.

WIDNES:

Tries: Cantillon (13mins, 18, 23, 52, 60, 70, 76), Gee (1, 26), Coussons (5), Percival (21), Demetriou (42), Munro (51), Hill (66), Hammond (75), Forster (80)

Goals: Watson 13 (conversions)

Damian Munro, Phil Coussons, Chris Percival, Jason Demetriou, Liam Jones, Martin Crompton, Ian Watson, Simon Knox, Phil Cantillon, Stuart Rhodes, Steve Gee, Tommy Hodgkinson, Karle Hammond.

Subs: Mark Forster (Percival 47mins), Mike Hill (Crompton 55), Chris Foran (Munro 62), Steve Argent (Rhodes 31).

Re-subs: Rhodes (Knox 62)

Sin-binned: None

Sent off: None

YORK WASPS:

Tries: Moore (29mins)

Goals: Oulton 1 (conversion)

Rich Darling 6, Tim Rumford 6, Craig Moore 8, Shaun Austerfield 7, Matt Mulholland 6, Paddy Handley 6, Gareth Oulton 7, Mick Hagan 7, Gareth Dobson 7, Craig Forsyth 6, Jason Gatus 8, Nathan Pincher 6, Adam Briggs 6.

Subs: Danny Waite (Briggs 30) 8, Lee Crooks (Forsyth 40) 6.

Not used: Steve Harris, Pat Howdle

Re-subs: Forsyth (Hagan 51), Hagan (Crooks 65).

Blood-bin: Waite (Dobson 19, returned 30)

Sin-binned: None

Sent off: None

Penalties: York 5, Widnes 2

Scrums won: York 12, Widnes 6

Attendance: 2941. HT: 42-6

Referee: Ron Laughton (Barnsley)