YOUNG blood is proving the driving force behind York Wasps' success this season and next week will see the latest influx of teenage stars when the new Academy season kicks off.

Watching youngsters develop trough the ranks can be a real thrill for coaches and spectators alike and the promise being shown by the babes of the Wasps senior side this year is estament to the standard of youth rugby league.

Half backs Darren Callaghan and Mark Cain, both former members of the Wasps Academy, are the form players of the moment. Incredibly they are both just 22 and their ever improving partnership suggests they could be dynamite as they gain in experience.

Outstanding prop Steve Hill is the same age, promising utility back and goalkicker Jamie Benn is not 21 until next month and Mick Hagan, in top form after a year out injured, is still only 20.

There are plenty more coming through at Huntington Stadium too, with many of this season's Academy squad forming the backbone of the city's successful amateur sides both at youth and open age levels.

For smaller clubs like York who cannot afford to buy established players it is the young guns who provide their salvation, either by going on to become stalwarts of the team or being sold for substantial fees.

Fans would be well advised to get to Premiership matches early when the Academy are playing curtain raisers to get a first hand look at the next Cains and Callaghans.

Academy first phase fixtures: April 24 - Cardiff Demons (a); May 3 - Hill KR (h); May 7 - Heavy Woollen (a); May 16 - Hunslet Hawks (h); May 22 - Hemel Stags (a); May 30 - Featherstone Rovers (h); June 6 - West Cumbria (a); June 20 - Gateshead Thunder (h); June 25 - Lancashire Lynx (a); Keighley Cougars (h). Second phase to follow later.NEWEST Wasps recruit Leroy McKenzie certainly knows how do endear himself to his team-mates. The wingman, who has played predominantly in rugby union apart from his four seasons with Hull Sharks, was full of compliments for his new colleagues.

"I've got respect for all rugby league players. I admire them all. If you think that way then usually you'll be OK," he enthused, following his first game in York colours at Doncaster Dragons.

He was snapped up by coach Dean Robinson just three days before the match and revealed he needed little persuasion in signing: "I had a call from Dean and he asked me if I fancied coming back to rugby league. When he asked the question I jumped at it, I didn't need to think about it. I was under contract at Wakefield so it was just a matter of sorting out whether I could be released." HARD luck to former Wasps favourite Stewart Horton and his Heworth side after they just failed in their brave attempt to secure National Conference premier division status next season.

They can still survive if Wigan St Patricks lose both their remaining games, but after Heworth's defeat by West Hull on Wednesday they seemed to have resigned themselves to the drop.

It's obvious from their performances over the last month of the season that they are good enough for the top flight and it's just a shame that it was a case of too little too late.

RETIRED York referee Dave Asquith is set for a place in the history books. The former Grade One official has been selected as the video referee for this season's Challenge Cup final between London Broncos and Leeds Rhinos - the final rugby league match to be played at the 'old' Wembley.

Asquith has made history behind the camera before - he became the first video referee to be used at a Wembley international when Great Britain played Australia in 1997.

Asquith was at Elmpark Way on Wednesday to watch Heworth's defeat by West Hull and tipped the 18-year-old referee that night, Ben Thaler, of Wakefield, to go all the way to the top. He will be recommending Thaler to take charge of Academy games this season.FORMER York forward Steve Pryce has been appointed Academy coach at Hunslet Hawks. Pryce, 30 next month, who joined Hunslet from York in 1994, has no intention of giving up his playing career even though he has been unable to command a place in the first team this season.CHRIS Judge will not face any penalty for his tackle on Hull KR's Stanley Gene which was put on report by Wigan referee Graham Shaw.

A video of the incident at Craven Park was watched by RFL officials who ruled the York forward had no case to answer. He will therefore not have to go before a disciplinary committee.BUZZING Mark Cain's try double at Doncaster has edged him into the list of leading tryscorers for the season. Cain's brace took his tally to eight which he shares with six other players. Dewsbury winger Adrian Flynn is top with 11.

Jamie Benn is the fifth highest points scorer with 76 and fifth in the goalkickers with 30.ONE-TIME Wasps target Brad Hepi has been in stunning form for new club Rochdale Hornets.

The Kiwi, who Dean Robinson tried to sign when he was released by Hull Sharks earlier this season, has been a prime mover in the Hornets up-turn in form during the last couple of weeks and scored two tries in their victory at Batley last week.

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