Down but not out was the New Year message of hope delivered by returning York Wasps ace Mark Cain after an encouraging - if not victorious - start to the Millennium.

Despite going down 32-13 in yesterday's fast and furious Cougar Park clash, there were enough positives to suggest York's first Northern Ford Premiership win of the 2000 season could be just around the corner.

One of those plus-points was the arrival of Australian centre Andrew Lambert who made a try-scoring debut after only arriving in the country on Thursday.

He tired towards the end but earned praise from Cain and coach Dean Robinson for his contribution.

Robinson revealed the Scottish international hurt his calf before being substituted eight minutes from time but added that it was not serious.

He said: "It was very difficult for him to come straight into the team but he was going well and showed enough touches to show the supporters that he is a quality player."

Also back in the three-quarter line-up was the familiar figure of veteran Garry Atkins who has been brought back on a two-month contract.

There was a debut too for young trialist Carl Paterson, forced into action ahead of schedule because of illness and injuries in the squad.

But perhaps one of the most significant changes was the return of influential stand-off Cain after a six-match suspension.

He resumed last season's successful half-back partnership with Darren Callaghan and was satisfied with his performance.

"I was a bit tired and probably tried to do a bit too much but that's my game. You've got to try and create things. I though my defence was alright but in attack I was a bit rusty but that will definitely come," said Cain, who captained the side in the absence of flu victim Paul Darley.

And he had no criticism of the team despite the result. He said: "There are a lot of positives to take from the game and a lot to build on.

"I think we've been missing a bit of direction but it doesn't help when you have players that are new to the club and are not sure of the moves. That will take time but when it does gel I think it will go well.

"There are lads coming back from injury and that can only improve our performance. All we were lacking today was strength in depth. I haven't played for five months, there were a few lads making their debuts and we had Shaun Austerfield in the second row which he has never played before and is a specialist position.

"Andy Lambert will make the three-quarter line possibly as good as last year."

His thoughts were echoed by Robinson who believed York's only downfall in the end was the lack of first choice players on the bench.

He said: "I'm not downhearted at all. We showed commitment, endeavour and never threw the towel in. We should have scored a couple more tries which is the only negative.

"But even when we hit our purple patch early in the first half I knew we didn't have the strength in depth on the bench to sustain it. But we showed that when we do have the strength in depth we can beat anyone.

"If we'd had Andy and Steve Hill and Rob Lee available to come off the bench we would have turned them over. That's no disrespect to Carl Paterson and Dean Thomas but it doesn't give us any options. You've got people out there playing for longer than they should be against a side with a very strong bench which has the luxury of being able to rotate the players."

Andy Hill and Lee are both a couple of weeks short of fitness but Steve Hill (concussion), Andy Preston (dead leg) and Darley are expected to be back in contention for the visit of Sheffield Eagles next week. Robinson is also hoping to complete two loan signings during the week.

Atkins steps into breach

Veteran Garry Atkins has come to the rescue of York Wasps once again to bolster their flagging ranks.

The 33-year-old centre has signed a two-month contract and went straight into the side against Keighley Cougars yesterday.

Last season Atkins came out of retirement to help out during an injury crisis towards the end of the campaign.

It was his third spell with the Wasps and was expected to be his last when he didn't re-sign during the close-season.

But now the former Hull KR star is back again to add some much needed experience to a young back division.

Coach Dean Robinson was pleased with the performance of Atkins at Cougar Park despite a lack of match fitness forcing him to be substituted in the second half.

The contract is initially for two months but could be extended if both parties are in agreement at the end of that term.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.