YORK'S Michelle Handley last night helped Great Britain and Ireland book their place in the final of the Rugbee.com Women's Rugby League World Series with a play-off win over Australia.

Two second half penalties from British stand-off Brenda Dobek was all that separated the teams as Britain edged home 4-0 at Castleford.

Despite the lack of tries, both sides played some fantastic rugby which kept the 1,044 crowd enthralled from start to finish.

Britain now take on new Zealand in Friday night's final at Warrington when they will be looking to avenge a 22-12 defeat from the round-robin stage.

Former York Acorn prop Handley made her international debut when she came off the bench ten minutes before half-time.

She found the pace of the game tough and was substituted ten minutes into the second half after making an important contribution.

Handley, who plays for Wakefield Townville Panthers, said: "When I was picked I thought, I've worked 18 months for this, I'd missed the first two games and I really wanted this one.

"It was the most important of the games because we needed to win to get to the final."

Revealing her feelings when she was sent into the action she said: "I thought 'I'm going to smash them. I'm going to run hard, tackle hard and give it my all.'

"I think I tackled well but I just wish I'd been fitter. They weren't hitting us as hard but the pace was so much faster than club rugby. I asked to come off!"

Looking ahead to Friday's final, Handley added: "I think if we get our attack sorted out we will have a chance. Our defence is solid - that has helped us through the last couple of games."

Former York Wasps manager Roger Millward is one of the latest trio of greats to be inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.

Millward, Vince Karalius and Tom Van Vollenhoven become the first players to gain the prestigious accolade since Neil Fox ten years ago.

Millward captained Great Britain ten times and went on six tours to Australia between 1968 and 1975.

He made his name at Hull KR where he made more than 400 appearances between 1966 and 1980 and won every honour in the game.

He later went onto manage Rovers and spent six months in charge at York in 1994.

Great Britain forward Karalius starred for St Helens and Widnes during the 1960s, while South African Van Vollenhovan spent his entire career at Saints from 1957 to 1968. The three players will receive their Hall of Fame medals at a ceremony at Saturday's World Cup final.

York Wasps' New Zealand forward Michael Smith will not face punishment for his sending off in the friendly against Hunslet Hawks.

Smith was shown the red card for a high tackle on Hunslet centre Chris North during the Huntington Stadium encounter on November 10.

A Rugby League disciplinary committee yesterday gave a 'sending off sufficient' verdict which means Smith will be available for the start of the Northern Ford Premiership season.