The York finally put the buzz back into the Wasps with a stirring display at Hunslet Hawks.

They would have been happy just to avoid another 70-pint hammering but instead almost achieved the impossible - a victory.

York had fought back to within four points of the Hawks in the second half and were sensing they were on the brink of only their second win of the season.

In the end it proved just beyond them as David Plange's men ran a couple of late tries to settle the contest. But after the horrors of the recent weeks, it was almost as good as a win.

The five debutants, wingers Simon Wray and Phil Musgrave, stand-off Mark Spears, second row Ryan Hardy and substitute John Gwillam all performed well while there were storming displays once again from front row pair Scott Acklam and Andy Hutchinson, along with centre Lee Bardauskas.

It started badly for York when they went 12-0 down in the first ten minutes courtesy of tries by second rower Craig Ibbotson and loose forward Guy Adams, both converted by Craig Robinson.

But after a slow start the Wasps gradually settled and fought their way back into contention. A try from close range by Acklam, converted by Waite, and another by Bardauskas following good work by Spears and Hardy left York just two points adrift.

That had become eight points by half-time after former Heworth hooker Anthony Howcroft scored under the posts.

York hit back again 15 minutes into the second half, Spears' long ball putting Craig Moore in for a try on his return to the Wasps to make it 18-14 to the home side.

But with scrum-half Robinson dictating the play with some superb kicking it was the Hawks who had the edge.

They scored a try through centre Michael Wainwright, then York lost Pallister for ten minutes after he was sin-binned for holding down.

Although they did well to hold out during that period, they were forced to finish the game with 12 men after injury forced Bardauskas from the field. Having made all their substitutions they were unable to bring on a replacement.

The extra work took its toll on the Wasps brave troops and they conceded another try right at the death, Andy Atha pouncing on Robinson's grubber kick.

Hunslet Hawks 30, York Wasps 14

HUNSLET HAWKS: George Raynor, Hamish Munton, Iain Higgins, Michael Wainwright, Chris Haywood, Jermaine Coleman, Craig Robinson, Mick Banks, Tony Howcroft, Craig Morphet, Neil Bradbrook, Craig Ibbotson, Guy Adams. Subs (all used): Gareth Naylor, Ben Skerrett, Andy Atha, Nicky Dobson

YORK WASPS: Matt Mulholland, Simon Wray, Craig Moore, Luke Billyheald, Phil Musgrave, Mark Spears, Danny Waite, Scott Acklam, Alan Pallister, Andy Hutchinson, Ryan Hardy, Darren Crake , Mick Ramsden. Subs: Gareth Oulton (not used), John Gwillam, Lee Bardauskas, Nathan Pincher.

Attendance: 612

Referee: Steve Addy (Huddersfield)