The loss of several key players through injury took its toll on York Wasps Academy as they were beaten 44-6 by an older and more experienced Featherstone Rovers side at Huntington Stadium.

As well as missing two forwards who were ruled out before the game, they went on to lose influential hooker Robbie Dolan with a back injury after 20 minutes, followed by prop Nick Caldwell (neck) and strong tackling centre Chris Spain (hamstring).

At that stage York were already 8-0 down and Rovers took full advantage of the disruption to score three tries in ten minutes to extend their lead to 22-0.

The second half was a replay of the first as Rovers scored after ten minutes and York suffered a further blow, Jason Harper being led from the field with concussion.

But the Wasps fought back to score a try through scrum-half Ritchie Hunter which Andy Gargan converted.

Their brief fight-back was derailed when prop Ben Peacham was forced off with a shoulder injury while skipper Paul Hagan succumbed to a recurrance of a leg injury suffered last week.

The number of injuries meant the Wasps were forced to play out the last 20 minutes with just 12 men. Inevitably, the speed of the game and the heat took its toll and Featherstone were able to run in three late tries.

Man of the match Hunter and half-back partner Marc Dawson were outstanding.

The Wasps are at Gateshead Academy on Sunday (kick-off 1pm) in a curtain raiser to the first team game.

York Academy: Kyle Wood, Richard Scott, Sean Flynn, Chris Spain, Paul Flynn, Marc Dawson, Ritchie Hunter, Ben Peacham, Robbie Dolan, Nick Caldwell, Paul Hagan, Chris Keld, Andy Gargan. Subs (all used) Matt Irving, Ben Jones, Danny Wilkes, Jason Harper.