It's game on for Wasps

Director Ann Garvey and Richard Collier, of Copmanthorpe firm Collier Plant Hire, have both contributed several thousand pounds to pay the outstanding wages of the playing staff.

Players had requested that the money owed to them should be paid before tonight's game or they would consider taking further action, which could have meant refusing to play at Dewsbury.

But at a meeting at Huntington Stadium last night all those whose wages had not been met - thought to be around a third of the staff - were paid in full for the period covering March 15 to the middle of April.

Coach Dean Robinson, who attended the meeting along with Garvey, Collier, the players and director Peter Warters, confirmed: "As a result of an initiative by Ann Garvey and Richard Collier, one of our main sponsors, the players, coaching staff and backroom staff have been paid up to the last pay period.

"An agreement was also reached for the next amount on May 19 to everybody's satisfaction.

"On behalf of myself, the players and staff I would like to thank Ann Garvey for what she has done over the last few days and Richard Collier, without whose help we could have been in a dire predicament.

"Now I hope we can focus on the main job which is football. For the first time in a week and a half we have gone down to a proper training session."

Robinson is now confident the season can be completed without any further hiccups in their bid for a Premiership top five play-off place.

He said: "I'm hopeful the situation has been resolved for good. The players and coaching staff appreciate that all rugby clubs have cash flow problems, we have to be realistic, it's just a matter of being told exactly what's happening to make sure there's no misunderstanding."

Garvey, who joined the board of directors earlier this year, would not reveal whether her contribution was in the form of a donation or a loan but confirmed that both herself and Richard Collier had made an equal input.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted it has been sorted out. I never had any doubt it would be."

Richard Collier, a director of Collier Plant Hire whose Wasps' sponsorships include the club drill tops, also declined to reveal any details of his contribution but said he hoped the club could now go forward and enjoy further success on the field.

Wasps chief executive Jim Race declined to comment on the situation.

Robinson rallies troops

Dean Robinson has issued a rallying call to York Wasps players and fans as they try to put behind them a turbulent couple of weeks and get back to business on the pitch, writes Dianne Hillaby.

The Wasps coach is delighted that the pay dispute which has disrupted preparations for tonight's Northern Ford Premiership crunch clash at Ram Stadium has finally been resolved.

He admitted it may have taken its toll on the players whose training has suffered but hopes they can now put it behind them.

"It is our toughest game of the season so far and we have not had ideal preparation. But I'm not one to cry over spilt milk, it's behind us now and the players will have to respond accordingly," he said.

"Exactly how much the last week and a half will have taken out of the players I don't know but I believe we'll go out there and do ourselves justice.

"My message to the players is don't look over your shoulder. We must go forward. I think this situation has contributed to two dropped points already at Rochdale and I don't want us to carry baggage into this fixture. I'm certain the bulk of the negativity has gone, it's just a question of how much it's cost us.

"I urge the supporters to get behind us, not to expect miracles but we'll certainly be up for it and give 100 per cent."

Second-placed Dewsbury have the current longest Premiership winning run of eight matches, their last defeat being 22-12 at Lancashire Lynx on March 7.

Wing power has been their biggest strength with former Wasp Alex Godfrey touching down eight times and right wingman Adrian Flynn leading the try-scoring charts with 13, though tonight Flynn switches into the centre to take the place of Australian Paul Evans who is out with knee ligament damage.

To counter the threat out wide Robinson has opted for the power of Fata Sini in place of Leigh Deakin on the left wing with Leroy McKenzie starting on the right.

Explained Robinson: "I've gone with Leroy McKenzie on the right wing because I've been impressed with him since he joined the club and I believe Fata's style of play will be more of an asset on the tight Dewsbury pitch.

"We know all about Alex Godfrey. He was a prolific scorer early on in the season but they've dried up recently and we hope to keep it that way. They are dangerous on both wings and pop up on each other's wing."

Robinson said Mick Ramsden was unlucky to miss out on a place but with the conditioning of the players not as it should be because of the events of the last two weeks, he has opted for four props, Mick Hagan and Lea Tichener starting with Steve Hill and Andy Precious on the bench. Craig Booth has ruled himself out with injury.

Mark Cain and Darren Callaghan will once again be put to the test against the in-form Dewsbury half-backs Richard Agar and Barry Eaton. Scrum half Eaton is currently the league's third top points scorer and goal-kicker. Starting at loose forward is former Wasp Damian Ball.

Supporters should expect a good game from Halifax official Nick Oddy who has just been promoted to the list of premier referees.

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