Trying times at the top

This season's leading NFP try-scorers have a lot to thanks York Wasps for.

No less than four of the top ten have benefited from major returns against the Wasps, the latest being Workington Town winger Graeme Lewthwaite.

His five tries against the Wasps last week has lifted him up to third place in the list of try-scorers with 24.

Leigh's James Turley, scorer of four against York back in March, heads the table with 33, followed by Widnes hooker Phil Cantillon who scored seven of his 26 tries in the 90-6 victory over York in February.

Turley has now equalled the Great Britain and Salford fullback Paul Charlton's 30-year-old record for tries by a full-back in a season.

Another grateful beneficiary of York's demise, Rochdale's Marlon Billy, is in joint sixth place on 19. Billy Whizz bagged five in Hornets' 98-0 defeat of the Wasps three weeks ago.

TWO more events are coming up in the next couple of months as the Wasps look towards raising money for next season.

The glamorous world of lap dancing comes to ikon and Diva at Clifton Moor on Tuesday, May 22.

A dance troupe will be coming up from London to provide the entertainment. Tickets are £20 per person.

For details or to book tickets, ring the club on 01904 634636.

The following month on Friday, June 8, an 18-hole golf tournament, plus carvery, will be held at Swallow Hall Golf Club, Wheldrake, tee-off 5pm.

Teams of four will compete and again the price is £20 per person.

There will also be a raffle with a star prize of a £50 voucher for Wildes Wine Bar and Bistro on Grape Lane, York, which has been donated by Tom Tunstall. Any other prizes are welcome.

The event is being organised by Les Dent and he can be contacted on 01904 448327 for further details.

All money raised from both events will go into club funds, both to help the Wasps through the rest of this season and for plans already afoot for the next one.

Mick Ramsden is helping out with team-mate Alan Pallister's testimonial by organising an Oompah night.

It will be held at the Zillertal in Pocklington on August 18. Tickets are £20, and a deposit of £10 must be paid by May 14.

The price includes coach from York, meal and entertainment from German-style band Rocky and the Rheinlanders.

For details or for a ticket, contact Mick Ramsden on 01904 610847.

On arriving at Twickenham for Malton and Norton RU Club's big day out last week, it was a surprise to see a familiar face in the line-up of their opponents Hoylake.

Centre Neil Parsley will be remembered by Wasps fans for his exploits with Lancashire Lynx which eventually earned him a move to Warrington Wolves. However, he was probably better known for his achievements on TV show Gladiators.

He didn't get much chance to show his running skills at Twickenham but did manage two late consolation tries for the Cheshire side.

He still looks a talented player, so why is he languishing in the lower reaches of rugby union? He would be a useful addition to many NFP sides - RL clubs take note!

What was that grey furry thing that led out the Workington Town team last week, I hear you ask.

No, it wasn't a wolf or a washed out dragon. It was in fact a unicorn which goes by the name of Spike.

And no, they are not about to change their name to Workington Unicorns.

Apparently a unicorn features on the Workington badge, and as it's difficult to make a cuddly creature out of their Town nickname, it was the next best thing. Come on u-nicorns!

Wasps' newcomer Rob Roberts doesn't seem to have the best of luck when it comes to money.

The ex-Hull FC star claims he is still owed cash from Halifax Blue Sox following his stint there last season.

His move to the Blue Sox from Hull turned into a nightmare as he revealed: "I missed one training session and it went from there. I had two years left on my contract.

"I'm still chasing money from them because I got no severance pay."

After leaving Halifax, 'Two Bobs' joined Hunslet - and again fell out over money. "I wasn't getting paid and although it's not all about money you're not going to slug your guts out for nothing."

That signalled the end of his Hawks career although he insists it was an amicable split. Now it's on to York where he is hoping to re-launch his Super League career.

"Rather than waiting for a Super League club, which could be never if you're not playing, I thought I'd come down here, see if I could improve the team and get back in the game."

Congratulations to former Wasps' favourite Graham Steadman who has taken another step up the coaching ladder.

Steadman, assistant to Stuart Raper at Castleford Tigers, has been appointed as assistant coach to David Waite for the England squad and will also assist Waite and Brian Noble coaching the Great Britain Squad.

Another ex-Wasp, Michael Smith, continues to go from strength to strength now he is back in Super League.

Smith's performance in Castleford's draw with Halifax has earned him a place in the Opta team of the week for the fourth time this season.

Players in Super League have their performance analysed by Opta experts, with over 50 categories being recorded including every tackle and every pass.

Yorkshire TV have agreed to cover the NFP play-off games and the Grand Final again this year via its hit show "Rugby League Raw" which was a huge success last season.