Shark-hunting York Wasps have secured the services of Jamie Benn and Matt Lambert as they prepare for their one and only pre-season friendly.

Jamie Benn

Matt Lambert

Dean Robinson's side face the might of Super League when they tackle Hull Sharks on Sunday bolstered by the news that both Lambert and Been have put pen to paper.

Goal-kicking utility back Benn has signed a one-year contract with a one year option, having featured for the Wasps last year in a loan deal with Castleford Tigers.

Australian forward Lambert, 27, who made 14 appearances last season, has signed a one-year deal, and joins fellow signings Chris Judge, Peter Edwards, Darren Callaghan and Mick Crane in Robinson's new look squad.

Lambert is no longer included in the overseas quota of players, so York were able to take him on again despite already snapping up Kiwi star Edwards.

After signing from Featherstone Rovers, Lambert was "sacked" by the club in June but returned to the side at the end of the promotion campaign to finish the season in impressive style.

Before playing for Featherstone he was with Hunslet Hawks.

Wasps' chief executive Jim Race said: "It is excellent news and both will feature on Sunday.

"Jamie has been on an extended loan at Keighley having played in Super League for Castleford last season but he was unhappy and he has decided to pledge himself to York. He is planning to move here with his family.

"Matt is a very good second row and has signed a one-year deal because he considers himself a Super League player and wants to get back there," said Race.

"They are both very versatile and because we are running with a small squad we have to players who can play in a variety of positions. We have been looking at the players who have featured here over the last 18 months with a view to bringing the best back.

"We believe we need only one more player to complete the jigsaw and then we will have a competitive squad for the rest of the year."

Following the cancellation of last weekend's pre-season match against Hunslet, the match at the Boulevard will be the Wasps' first and only friendly before the start of the season in less than a month's time.

The match, kick-off 3.15pm, should realise a healthy crowd.

Boosted by the new signings and the arrival of a new management board at the Boulevard, the Hull fans, who this season will see their side return to their old team shirts of black and white irregular hoops, have responded by pushing season ticket sales up to record levels and close to the £200,000 mark.

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