ANOTHER talented youngster from York will find himself facing his home town club when the Wasps take on Sheffield Eagles next week.
Scott Rhodes, a product of the Heworth amateur club, has joined the Eagles from Super League club Leeds Rhinos.
After turning out for Scotland during the World Cup, half-back Rhodes had been hoping to attract the interest of another Super League club.
However, he has been forced to drop down to the Northern Ford Premiership to guarantee first team football. The Clifton-based 20-year-old rejected a new deal at Leeds, as he explained: "I turned it down because I thought I wasn't going to get much of an opportunity.
"Mark Aston (Sheffield coach) phoned me up and I went and spoke to him and liked what I saw.
"Mark impressed me. He was a good half-back himself. Maybe I didn't get much one-on-one at Leeds. Don Valley is a good stadium, the best in the NFP, and Mark is building a decent squad."
Rhodes joined Leeds five years ago from Heworth but never appeared for the first team. He finally made his Super League debut while on loan at Hull FC at the end of last season.
However, no other clubs came in for him, although he has since learned that Castleford Tigers did show an interest.
One of the disadvantages of going into the NFP is that he will switch from a full-time contract to part-time, though he is not unduly concerned.
"I've been part-time at Leeds before so that wasn't too difficult a decision. I do a lot of training on my own anyway," added Rhodes, who is now working for a York building contractor.
Rhodes is in line to make his full Sheffield debut tomorrow having impressed as a substitute against Doncaster a couple of weeks ago.
He will then hope to retain his place for the visit to Huntington Stadium next week when he will face some old friends in Alan Pallister, Craig Forsyth and Adam Briggs.
Fellow ex-Heworth player Anthony Howcroft also lined up against the Wasps recently when he was on the bench for Hunslet Hawks at Huntington Stadium.
continuing on the Sheffield theme, congratulations to former York prop Steve Hill, who recently got married to Lee Ann Cain.
Hill joined the Eagles from the Wasps in the summer and will make his Huntington Stadium return alongside Rhodes next week.
His new wife is the sister of another former York player, Mark Cain, who is now with Dewsbury Rams.
It's D-Day for the Wasps on Wednesday when the creditors will meet to vote on the Company Voluntary Arrangement.
It takes place at Huntington Stadium at 10.30 am and will be followed by a shareholders' meeting.
There were a few quizzical looks in the press box when the York team sheet was brought up before last week's match at Batley.
The number 17 was first given as AN Other, but closer inspection revealed the unlikely name of Steve Harris. Surely a mistake - had somebody accidentally written his name among the subs instead of among the dugout staff?
Alas no. Wasps' Kit man 'Bomber' Harris, who plays in the forwards for New Earswick All Blacks, had in fact been registered that morning as a triallist to make up the numbers. Sadly he did not get his chance of glory and had to make do with a few forays on to the pitch as a water carrier. Not to worry Bomber - maybe next time.
The Wasps are looking for programme sellers for future home matches.
They will be required to be at the Stadium an hour before the game and will get paid £5 as well as receiving free admission to the match.
For further details contact Ann Garvey on 01904 634636.
Strong running forward Michael Smith has made great strides at the top of the Evening Press/Guildford Construction Player of the Year standings.
The New Zealander's efforts over the last two games have given him a four point haul, taking him into the outright lead with seven points.
He produced a second successive man of the match performance in the 20-20 draw with Hunslet to take three points, just pipping Paddy Handley who receives two.
Alan Pallister made a big impact after coming on as a first half substitute against Hunslet and gets one point as the third best player in that match.
The muddy conditions at Batley made it very much a forwards game with all the York pack performing well.
Craig Forsyth's non-stop workrate for the full 80 minutes earned him the match award and three points while second rower Smith was awarded one.
Full-back Jamie Benn broke the forwards' dominance by collecting two points for his all-round show, which included playing the second half at stand-off following Paddy Handley's substitution.
The top player in each game is awarded three points, the second best player two points and the third best one point. The winner at the end of the season will win the £350 first prize, which is being supplied by sponsors Guildford Construction. A prize of £150 goes to the runner-up.
Points so far are: Michael Smith 7, Paddy Handley 5, Craig Forsyth 4, Alan Pallister 4, Darren Hughes 2, Craig Moore 2, Gareth Lloyd 2, Jamie Benn 2, Leroy McKenzie 1, Chris Allen 1.
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