Oldham 14, York Wasps 43

Leigh Deakin (number five) and Rich Goddard get to grips with the Oldham attack at Spotland

Four wins in a row, the biggest victory of the season and fourth place in the Northern Ford Premiership - the York Wasps bandwagon just keeps rolling on and on.

The first part of this week's Spotland double bill was executed with clincial precision by a Wasps side oozing the sort of confidence reserved only for teams on the up.

Strugglers Oldham were brushed aside with consummate ease and it was apparent early on that the scene of York's extra-time Challenge Cup triumph over Rochdale would not see such a dramatic conclusion this time.

The game was over by half-time when York led 27-0 and the second half was simply a case of conserving energy before Wednesday's return when Rochdale will surely offer greater resistance.

Outstanding full-back Jamie Benn led the way with a 22-point haul from two tries and seven goals but this was a true team performance with every player making a valuable contribution.

The pack were superb, in particular the front row; Leroy McKenzie chipped in with his first try; Rich Goddard worked hard to grab two while Mark Cain and Darren Callaghan were once again the creative force.

Points came at regular intervals as Oldham were gradually worn down and eventually obliterated. The home followers claimed this was their worst performance of the season but in truth they were never given a chance.

It took just eight minutes for York to kick-start their points parade when a couple of penalties moved play up to the Oldham 10 metre line. Paul Darley found McKenzie out wide and the wingman's pace took him past opposite number Joe McNicholas and over the line, Benn converting with a tremendous kick from the touchline.

An Andy Precious drop goal, his second in successive games, increased the lead before Goddard went in for the first of his brace after 19 minutes. He looked to be well shackled when taking Cain's pass 10 metres out but showed great upper body strength to shake off the challenge of Adrian Mead and Emmerson Jackman to crash over. Benn once again found the target from wide out.

Benn it was who started and finished the third try when his huge kick up-field utilised the 40-20 rule to give York possession just a few metres from the Oldham line. As the ball was swept across field, Cain popped up a perfect pass for the on-rushing Benn to carve through Jackman and Laurent Minut and touch down but on this occasion he couldn't add the extras.

Benn did add another two points to his growing tally with a penalty when Mead was sin-binned for holding down Leigh Deakin after the winger had raced 50 metres. And another successful Benn kick soon followed when Jason Clegg was penalised for treading on Lea Tichener as Oldham became increasingly frustrated.

Then right on the hooter John Strange wrapped up a faultless first half when he glided past three Oldham tacklers for a try which Benn converted.

Fears that the Wasps would suffer another second half lapse were increased four minutes after the interval when scrum half Daniel Brown intercepted Cain's pass to run 60 metres and score under the posts, Danny Wood goaling.

But Oldham's hopes of a revival were short-lived when loose forward Mick Martindale was sent off for allegedly punching Callaghan in the throat as he attempted to hand-off the Wasps scrum half.

That put York back in the driving seat and Goddard soon increased the lead to 31-6 when he again shrugged off two tackles to score near the corner.

Alan Pallister's attempt to dive over the line from acting half was ruled out by referee Ron Laughton then Oldham staged a mini fight-back as winger Mead and centre Mick Farrell touched down in the space of three minutes.

It was little consolation though as York ended the game on top. A Benn penalty made it 33-14 then the fullback grabbed his second try as he leaped high to collect a strange kick and used his strength to ground the ball, despite the attentions of three Oldham players.

After kicking the goal he turned provider when his pass found Mick Ramsden and the substitute showed a great turn of pace to leave hooker John Hough in his wake and slide over.

Coupled with defeats for Featherstone and Widnes, the result moves the Wasps up to fourth place in the Premiership and victory on Wednesday would see them move within two points of leaders Hull KR.

But as they prepare to return to Spotland for the third time this season they should remember that sequels rarely live up the original - hopefully this time they can break the mould.

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