York Wasps are seeking to inflict an unwanted hat-trick on championship hopefuls Leigh Centurions at Huntington Stadium tomorrow.

HOT FORM: Gareth Dobson reatins the Wasps' scrum half slot against Leight tomorrow after fighting off the challenge of Craig Robinson

Defeat for Leigh would be their third in the space of a week after they were surprisingly beaten by Sheffield Eagles last Sunday and then by Dewsbury Rams in Wednesday night's Trans-Pennine Cup final.

That Sheffield defeat brought to an end a nine-match winning run which had taken Leigh to the top of the Northern Ford Premiership.

Wasps caretaker coach Garry Atkins was in the stands at Ram Stadium on Wednesday and, though he didn't learn much because of the dreadful conditions, he knows what his side have to do.

"Leigh were the better team in the second half and I think if it had been dry they might have won the game. Defences were definitely on top and we're going to have to be on top form to break Leigh's.

"They are dangerous around the ruck area and are very quick. If they make a break they will probably score from it because they follow the ball really well.

"We have to get on top of them and spoil things. It comes down to who wants it most. Last week at Workington we didn't but this week we have to make sure we do," said Atkins, who will be hoping for a winning send-off before flying out to Las Vegas on Tuesday to get married.

He has avoided the temptation to switch full-back Darren Callaghan and stand-off Mark Cain so both players retain the starting roles they occupied in last week's defeat by Workington.

"Daz is playing well and is happy at full-back so we'll leave it as it is," said Atkins, adding that he may consider swapping them during the course of the match as he did at Derwent Park.

Atkins will also keep faith with hooker turned scrum-half Gareth Dobson who has fought off the challenge of loanee Craig Robinson to retain the number seven shirt.

Robinson will again start on the bench following Dobson's superb display against Workington.

The Wasps welcome back Paul Darley (hamstring), Andrew Lambert (flu) and Leroy McKenzie (hamstring) but Spencer Hargrave is still out with a badly bruised bicep.

Darley will be on the bench after three weeks out while Lambert and McKenzie both come straight back into the starting line-up.

All those players who picked up knocks at Workington should recover with the exception of prop Rich Hayes who is expected to be out for a month. The only other doubt is second rower Lee McTigue who twisted an ankle at Derwent Park.

There is also a welcome return for Andy Precious who has played just one game since January because of work commitments. As reported in yesterday's Evening Press, Precious is available for all matches over the Easter period and will start tomorrow's game at loose-forward.

Leigh scrum-half Craig Dean is again expected to be ruled out after missing the Trans-Pennine Cup final with an ankle injury.

Half-back Kieron Purtill (shoulder), full-back Stuart Donlan (groin) and Safraz Patel (ankle) were all injured in that game and are doubtful for the trip to York but hooker Mick Higham (shoulder) should return.

York Wasps (from): Callaghan, McKenzie, Woodcock, Lambert, Ryce, Cain, Dobson, Hagan, Pallister, S Hill, Judge, A Hill, Precious, Robinson, Darley, Gray, McCracken, Forsyth, Preston, McTigue

Leigh Centurions: Donlan, Wingfield, Anderson, Cross, Hadcroft, Fairclough, Purtill, Street, Murray, Higham, Whittle, Baldwin, Cruikshank, Bristow, Patel, Causey, Norman, Bowker.

Referee: Ron Laughton (Barnsley)

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