Congratulations are in order this week to Martin Flynn and his York Wasps Academy team for bringing some pride back to the club.

While the first team were thrashed 82-4 at Doncaster last week, earlier in the day the Wasps Academy recorded a tremendous 32-20 victory over the Dragons.

Following their 25-8 defeat by Workington in their opening match, the young Wasps hit back in fine style to turn over a Doncaster side who had beaten Chorley 40-6 the previous week.

Covering themselves in glory were Kyle Wood, George Boothroyd, Sean Flynn, Ben Jones, Richard Scott, Mark Dawson, Andy Gargan, Nick Caldwell, Robbie Dolan, Nick Burgess, Danny Brown, Paul Hagan, Chris Keld, Paul Flynn, Ritchie Hunter, Ben Peacham and Danny Wilkes.

Getting to matches early to check out the Academy curtain raisers could be a good move for Wasps fans desperate to see a winning side again.

And further victories can only be good for the first team - success breeds success and will go a long way to restoring confidence throughout the club.

The Academy will next be in action against Featherstone tomorrow before the first team game, kick-off 12noon.

The remaining fixtures are as follows: Sun, May 20 Gateshead Mets (a) 1pm; Sun, May 27 Dewsbury (h) 12pm; Sat, June 2 Leigh (h) 2.30pm; Sat, June 9 Barrow (a) 2.30pm; Sun, June 17 Workington (a) 1pm; Sun, June 24 Oldham (h) 12pm; Sun, July 1 Leigh (a) 1pm; Sat, July 7 Chorley (h) 2.30pm; Sat, July 14 Dewsbury (a) 2.30pm; Sat, July 21 Barrow (h) 2.30pm; Sat, July 28 Doncaster (h) 2.30pm; Mon, Aug 6 Featherstone (a) 7.30pm; Sat, Aug 11 Gateshead Mets (h) 2.30pm; Sat, Aug 18 Oldham (a) 2.30pm; Sun, Aug 26 Chorley (a) 1pm.

The familiar name of Crooks could soon be packing down in the Hull FC front row once again.

Young Stuart Crooks, son of Wasps boss Lee, looks like following in his famous father's footsteps after signing Academy forms with Hull.

The 16-year-old prop, a member of West Hull's successful Under-16s team this season, has joined the Airlie Birds with a view to signing professional forms once they have had a chance to assess his ability.

Crooks junior still lives with Lee's former partner in Hull, as does his eldest daughter.

Lee also has two children with his present wife Karen, who are both showing sporting prowess. Megan (12), is a talented netballer and cross country runner while eight-year-old Benjamin plays rugby for Lock Lane.

And Benjamin has no excuse for not making it to the very top of the game. As well as having Lee for a dad, his uncle is former Hull FC great Steve 'Knocker' Norton.

A decision could be made next week on when the new NFP season will kick-off.

A meeting held in Dewsbury last week failed to reach a positive conclusion so clubs are due to reconvene on May 18, when it is hoped they will have reached a verdict.

Clubs are currently split three ways with some wanting a return to a full winter season, some wanting to go back to summer and others favouring a Boxing Day start.

The financial state of NFP clubs was also discussed at last week's meeting.

Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey said: "It was agreed that the Rugby League should be fully aware of the expenditure of each club and know that they can make payments, in particular to the main bodies like the Inland Revenue and VAT.

"York was one instance but I think for many of the clubs the Inland Revenue has been the main problem."

Are Leeds United players infiltrating the rugby league ranks? Thought so for a minute at Doncaster last week when the PA man announced Jonathan Woodgate was playing on the wing for the Dragons. Closer inspection of the team sheet revealed that it was in fact Jonathan Woodcock.

However, a look down the Keighley team for their clash with Hunslet last week revealed a certain Lee Bowyer as a non-playing substitute. I know they've lost a few players recently but surely that's getting a bit desperate!