Wasps wait on sponsor

Although still only in the negotiation stage, the word from the Wasps is that they are hopeful.

Chief executive Ann Garvey confirmed: "We are in regular contact with the sponsor and it's looking bright.

"I can't remember the last time we had a sponsorship as big as this."

The club have not released the name of the company involved or any other details.

It is not surprising that they are remaining guarded - many times in the past they have been close to securing deals but, for one reason or another, they have fallen through.

If they can pull it off this time it would be a massive fillip for rugby league in York. To say the Wasps have struggled financially this season would be a major understatement.

But at least entering into a CVA and the subsequent stringent payment policy means they have remained debt free.

Several other NFP clubs have found themselves in deep trouble this year and it is becoming increasingly apparent that very few clubs will be able to offer anything more than winning and losing pay next season.

A big sponsorship for the Wasps means they could find themselves in a stronger position than many of their rivals next year so there is no reason why success on the field shouldn't follow.

Yorkshire coach Lee Crooks and his Lancashire counterpart Andy Gregory have called for the Origin Game to become a more regular fixture on the English calendar.

An encouraging crowd of 10,253 watched Lancashire gain a thrilling 36-24 victory over Yorkshire at Headingley.

It proved to be a hit with both players and spectators and Crooks said: "It's a pity there is not a second match.

"I think it's something they will be looking for next year and, hopefully, if they do have two next year, both will be on blank weekends.

"It would be more beneficial to have it in the calendar on a blank weekend so the players could go into camp maybe on the Wednesday and have three or four days to prepare, whereas myself and Andy only had the players for two one-hour training sessions."

And Wasps boss Crooks hopes that he will again be involved in any future fixtures.

"I'd love to do it next year on a two-game basis and I think there would be a lot of people that would like to do it," he said.

"Working at a representative level and working with quality players is every coach's ambition and I'd like to think I might get the chance to do the same next year.

"Certainly I think I will have benefited from the experience. I don't think I could have done any more in the time that we had and I'd like to think it will lead to bigger and better things some time in the future."

The Wasps may have missed out on securing the services of former Leeds Rhinos winger Paul Sterling this season - but they have not given up hope of bringing him to Huntington Stadium in the future.

York were hopeful of tempting Sterling to put his boots back on after he retired from the game at the age of 36.

Director of football Tony Coleman revealed: "He decided he didn't want to play again this season but if he decides to play again next year he has said we will be the first ones he'll be in touch with.

"If he can help us in any way he will be happy to do that."

Sheffield's ex-York second rower Chris Judge missed last week's clash against his old club after seeing a specialist about a persistant ankle problem two days before the game.

He has been forced to have the ankle pinned after a fracture was revealed. It is believed he has been playing with a stress fracture for some time which has now developed into a more serious injury.

If Leroy Rivett and Chris Stockton make their debuts tomorrow it will take the number of players used by the Wasps this season up to 67 - and up to joint second place in the all-time list of most players used in a season.

Leading the way are Lancashire Lynx who fielded 72 players last year, followed by Prescott Panthers who used 67 in 1996.

York are currently third having overtaken Bridgend (64 in 1984-85) and Trafford Borough (61 in 1991-92).

The Wasps record does not include the likes of kitman Steve Harris or physio Pat Howdle who were both unused substitutes.

Leigh's Lancashire star Neil Turley has been named as the NFP player of the month for May.

The full team of the month, chosen by Rugby League World magazine and the RFL, is Neil Turley (Leigh), Dave Ingram (Leigh), Craig Weston (Widnes), Kevin Crouthers (Dewsbury), Chris Percival (Widnes), Richard Agar (Widnes), Neil Roden (Oldham), Simon Knox (Widnes), Richard Chapman (Featherstone), Danny Sculthorpe (Rochdale), Chris Morley (Leigh), Jim Carlton (Gateshead), Anthony Samuel (Workington).

Andy Hutchinson has got one hand on the £350 cheque and trophy after taking the lead in the Evening Press/Guildford Construction Player of the Year standings with just four games to go.

Prop forward Hutchinson, who was named as the fifth best prop in the NFP May ratings, gets two points this week as the second best player the defeat at Sheffield.

That is enough to put him two points clear of Gareth Dobson, who is out of the running having departed York for Sheffield.

Mick Ramsden takes the three points as man of the match which keeps alive his outside chance of stealing the first prize. However, much will depend on his recovery from an ankle injury.

Alan Pallister maintained his slim chance by taking the third and final point on offer against Sheffield for sheer effort.

The first prize looks set to become a two-horse race between Hutchinson and Darren Crake, who is currently six points off the lead in joint third place.

There is also a second prize of £150 up for grabs which could still be won by several players.

It should be made clear that players who have left the club are still entitled to the prize money should they qualify so Dobson would land the £150 if he is not overtaken.

In a new points system designed this season, the top player in each match is awarded three points, the second best player two points and the third best one.

The cash prizes are supplied by sponsor Guildford Construction.

Points so far: Andy Hutchinson 17, Gareth Dobson 15, Gareth Lloyd 11, Darren Crake 11, Michael Smith 10, Lee Badauskas 10, Mick Ramsden 10, Alan Pallister 8, Craig Moore 7, Shaun Austerfield 7, Mark Spears 6, Paddy Handley 6, Gareth Stephens 4, Craig Forsyth 4, Nathan Pincher 3, Aaron Campbell 3, Danny Waite 3, Neil Harmon 3, Ryan Hardy 2, Gareth Oulton 2, Jason Gatus 2, Darren Hughes 2, Jamie Benn 2, Chris Allen 2, Scott Acklam 2, Leroy McKenzie 1, Spencer Hargrave 1, Carl Bristow 1, Shane Cochran 1.