YORK Wasps ended their season with the hollowest of victories after coming within 27 minutes of an embarrassing defeat by the Northern Ford Premiership's whipping boys.

In a truly awful first half, York could find no way through a Lancashire Lynx defence which had leaked 1,347 points in its previous 27 matches this season.

They fluffed plenty of chances and did look the better side but it took 53 minutes, with Lancashire leading 6-2, for the Wasps to finally get over the whitewash.

The chief instigator was substitute Michael Smith who barged through three tackles before finding Chris Hammerton in support to scoot over the line.

Seven minutes later Smith took the ball from acting half and again caused havoc in the Lancashire defence, charging through would-be tacklers at will to crash over the line.

Darren Callaghan's two conversions put York eight points clear and should have signalled the start of a Wasps onslaught.

But credit to Lancashire, they hung in well and could even have nicked the two points. It took a desperate Kevin Gray tackle to end winger Damien Pickles' 70-metre break following an interception.

Then the Lynx enjoyed a good spell of pressure towards the end before Simon Tickle went in for a controversial try. He seemed to floor Callaghan with a high tackle before stealing the ball and racing away to the posts but the try was awarded by trialist Grade Two referee Ivan Crabtree, who otherwise made a good impression.

Fortunately, Pickles' conversion was the last kick of the match but it was still far too close for comfort for York.

Had Pickles converted two relatively simple first half penalties then York would have become only Lancashire's second victims this season.

As it was he succeeded with only one just two minutes into the game which was soon cancelled out by a similar effort from Callaghan.

Gray should have scored when he was played through a gap by Gareth Lloyd but for some reason opted to pass to Callaghan and the chance was lost.

It proved costly as Lancashire hit back against the run of play with a try from centre Gary Lowe after prop Jayson Pekepo had squeezed the ball out of a three-man tackle in the corner.

Luckily, Pickles followed up his two missed penalties with a failed conversion.

The score seemed to shock York into action but panic was also creeping into their game.

Gray was again sent on a sprint to the line but his pass to Andy Hill 10 metres from the line went to ground. Then Callaghan raced onto Rich Hayes' reverse pass but was tackled just short.

Half-time came as welcome respite for the 351 spectators who booed the Wasps off at half-time.

And although things improved slightly after the break, it was with relief rather than celebration that the players and fans allowed themselves a few smiles at the end.

Not just relief at the victory, but relief too that a disastrous season is finally over. And not a moment too soon.

York Academy, fresh from their first victory of the season over Lancashire, will be back in action tomorrow.

They take on Cardiff Demons at Huntington Stadium, kick-off noon.

dianne.hillaby@ycp.co.uk

PICTURE - STUNG: Wasps' Darren Callaghan is stopped by the Lancashire Lynx defence

YORK WASPS: Kevin Gray 7, Gareth Lloyd 6, Simon Irving 6, Andrew Lambert 6, Matt Woodcock 8, Darren Callaghan 7, Chris Hammerton 6, Rich Hayes 8, Mick Ramsden 6, Steve Hill 7, Craig Forsyth 7, Andy Hill 7, Spencer Hargrave 7

Subs: Matt Mulholland (for Lloyd 76mins) -, Michael Smith (Forsyth 24) 7, Dan Briggs (Hargrave 64) -, Lea Tichener (S Hill 42) 6.

Re-subs: Forsyth for Hayes 70, Hargrave for Tichener 79

Tries: Hammerton (53mins), Smith (60)

Conversions: Callaghan 2

Penalties: Callaghan 1

Guildford Construction/Evening Press Man of the Match

Rich Hayes:

Made a couple of mistakes when trying to force the pass but made valuable yards. Few players stood out in an awful team performance but Hayes was as solid as ever. Also a word for Matt Woodcock who tried his heart out to the end

LANCASHIRE LYNX: Martin Hunt, Simon Tickle, Gary Lowe, Dave Jones, Damien Pickles, Shaun Boylen, Gordon Long, Jayson Pekepo, Chris Ramsdale, David Birdsall, Paul Norton, Luke Vincent, Dean Blankley.

Subs: Dave Wolford (ramsdale 33mins), Pete Steels (Norton 76), Paul Birdsall (Boylen 69), Gary Hall (Long 70).

Re-subs: Boylen for Pekepo 78.

Blood bin: Hall for D Birdsall 34 (returned 63), Steels for Hall 45 (returned 61)

Tries: Lowe 23, Tickle 80.

Conversions: Pickles 1

Penalties: Pickles 1

Match statistics

Penalties: York 9, Lancashire 8

Scrums won: York 12, Lancashire 11

40/20 kicks: York 0, Lancashire 0

Half-time: York 2, Lancashire 6

Referee: Ivan Crabtree (Leeds)

Attendance: 351

Match rating: 4/10