It was tipped as the most likely upset of the Challenge Cup third round but York Wasps proved to any doubters that their days of crashing out to amateur opposition are long gone.

Rampant Richard: Wasps centre Richard Goddard charges away from two Egremont Rangers opponents, above, and dives over to score a first half try, below. Pictures: Paul Baker

Despite the double dismissal of Andy Preston and Peter Edwards, the Wasps turned in a thoroughly competent display to run in 10-tries and crush Egremont Rangers' hopes of another cup upset.

The Cumbrian amateurs knocked Workington Town out of last season's competition and, backed by a 200-strong travelling army, were confident of claiming another professional scalp.

And for 15 minutes they threatened to do just that. In a fiery opening spell scrum half Robert Purdham, who along with his brother

Gary is expected to turn professional in the next couple of weeks, gave the National Conference premier division champions a two point lead with a penalty as tempers frayed.

Then it went from bad to worse as York scrum half Preston, favoured over last season's first choice Mick Crane, was given his marching orders for a late tackle on Purdham.

But this York side are not one to succumb to pressure and they gained a stranglehold on possession and territory which proved too much for the light-weight visitors.

Lacking experience and a creative edge, they had no answer to York's rampaging forwards and pacey backline which, with the addition of Jamie Benn and former Castleford centre Richard Goddard, could prove a real threat this season.

Impressive new skipper John Strange played a captain's role when he switched from full back to half back to compensate for the loss of Preston. His link-up play with Goddard in attack was at times breathtaking and it was those two who were involved in much of the Wasps' best play.

It was a pass from Strange which sent industrious stand off Mark Cain through a gap for the first try after 16 minutes, Benn converting to kick-start the rout.

Four minutes later centre Shaun Austerfield showed he has not lost the finishing touch when he ducked under a tackle to dive over the line, leaving another easy two points for Benn.

Goddard it was who set up the third, using his pace to beat two tackles and turn the ball inside to Austerfield who sent Cain in for his second which Benn again converted.

Strange turned the screw further with a drop goal after 25 minutes as a tired-looking Egremont side struggled to get a look-in. But they had only themselves to blame for York's final try of the half when they dropped the ball in their own half, leaving the Wasps to work it out to the wing where Goddard was on hand to go in at the corner.

With the score at 23-2 at the interval, talk among the 768 crowd was of 60 points.

And that looked a real possibility when Deakin went in for the first of his three tries just two minutes after the re-start. Benn's kicking was immaculate throughout and he slotted the ball straight through the sticks with a fine touchline conversion.

Kiwi Edwards gave a glimpse of what he has to offer when he slipped the ball superbly out of a tackle to set up Goddard for his second, again goaled by Benn.

But the loose forward had no more chances to shine as he was sent off by referee Colin Morris minutes later for what appeared to be an innocuous tackle on opposite number Gary Purdham.

That should have handed the Cumbrians a chance to get back into the match but it made no difference to the on-slaught as Judge, back at Huntington Stadium after spells at Wakefield and in France, ran 35 yards for an individual effort just minutes later, quickly followed by Deakin's second, Benn adding the extras.

Former York Acorn ace Darren Callaghan was thrown into action after 62 minutes and he made an immediate impact, tearing through the field from near the halfway line to set up Deakin's hat-trick, converted from the touchline by Benn.

Chris Hopcutt completed a 50-yard move for the final try of the day as York deservedly earned a standing ovation and the possibility of a dream tie against one of Super League's giants when the fourth round draw is made tonight (5.15pm).

Sending off leaves Edwards seeing red

Peter Edwards surges into two Egremont tacklers

Hard working loose forward Peter Edwards was left stunned by the sending off which cut short his York Wasps debut.

The former New Zealand international was dismissed in the 54th minute for what referee Colin Morris indicated to be a punch in the tackle on his opposite number Gary Purdham.

It left the Egremont man laid out and needing treatment, but Edwards, signed from Super League Salford Reds in the close season, claimed it was nothing more than a strong challenge.

He said: "I was enjoying the match. I can't believe I got sent off. The ref said it was alright then the touch judge came on and said it was a vicious tackle.

"I never punched him. I do those sort of tackles all year round."

The sending off apart, Edwards was happy with his first performance in a Wasps shirt and believes the team could now go on to enjoy a successful season.

"I was just getting the feel of the game. I haven't played at loose forward that much and I'm just getting to know the game plan.

"We've got a good squad here, the players have got a lot of heart. I think we can finish in the top half at least."

Edwards' red card, which followed the seventh minute dismissal of scrum half Andy Preston, was just what coach Dean Robinson could have done without with the first division campaign kicking off next Sunday at Leigh.

It could mean a ban for both players, but Robinson is hopeful it will not come to that.

He said: "Edwards' looked very harsh. It looked no more than a very effective tackle, perhaps he was punished for being too effective.

"I didn't get a good look at Andy Preston's. I'll look at that on video before commenting. But if it wasn't deserved then it robbed him of showing us what he can do in the number seven shirt."

Robinson was disappointed to lose two players in such a way and said: "With a 22-man squad and Paul Darley already out for six weeks I can do without losses of discipline and players being dismissed from the field. On another day some of these sending offs could cost you dear."

Fortunately the game was never in doubt and Robinson was full of praise for the competent display from his side.

He said: "It was a very good performance, particularly in the last quarter when we completed our goal of not allowing them to score any tries.

"That is a very difficult task with 11 men on the field and with a convincing scoreline it would have been easy to allow them to score.

But the character of the side showed through and there was no way Egremont were going to score."

The Cumbrians did not look the same side which had upset Workington in last season's competition but Robinson refused to criticise their poor performance, adding: "It is time the people of York started to stand up and realise we have a very good side here.

Supporters are quick to tarnish our opponents but I believe it was a fantastic performance from my team. We could have a very good season."

Wasps Match Facts

Silk Cut Challenge Cup third round, at Huntington Stadium

York 52, Egremont 2

H/T: 23-2

Ref: Colin Morris (Huddersfield)

Attendance: 768.

Match rating: 6 out of 10

Weather: Cold and dull

The Evening Press Man of the Match

Matt Lambert: Was at the heart of all the Wasps most effective moves and ran strongly until going off 20 minutes from time. The big Australian will be a huge asset after coming off the overseas quota.

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