Back from the brink to verge of glory

A command performance from York Rugby League Club was a fitting climax to a week that threatened to bring down the curtain on the club's 130-year history.

The cash-starved crisis of the previous seven days instilled a rich seam of team spirit to inspire the Wasps to victory over promotion rivals Bramley.

The plentiful and vocal Wasps following at Headingley witnessed an incredible show of defiance from their jade-clad heroes.

After a week in which the players agreed to complete the season without pay, there was an unmistakable and unbreakable will to win.

The Wasps had trained just three times since their Batley defeat on July 5 but drew on all their reserves to twice hit back from a potentially down-and-out position.

And, just when Bramley expected their visitors to finally fold, full-back John Strange came up with a vital drop goal to give his side an amazing 21-20 victory.

The troubled build-up to the game forced coach Dean Robinson to make a host of changes but the most profitable was the juggling of Strange and Mark Cain.

Strange, who had looked out of sorts at stand-off, was composure personified under an onslaught of Bramley bombs at full-back, while Cain is proving an ever-more crucial component in this Wasps side.

Prop forward Andy Precious weighed in with his best defensive display of the season and Gareth Dobson adapted well to his first game at loose forward since his school days.

Meanwhile, restored prop Lea Tichener and the outstanding Craig Booth - as substitutes - added a second wave of aggression to the Wasps pack after Bramley had taken an early lead.

The under-prepared Wasps often overshadowed their hosts with some breathtaking handling, particularly as they probed for a breakthrough in the second half.

Their magnificent triumph over adversity could now prove the perfect launching pad to a promotion winning climax to the season.

Considering the obstacles that York overcame in merely surviving through to yesterday's 3pm kick off, it was no surprise that they fell behind early on.

Scrum-half Gavin Brown and second rower Kris Smith worked a wonderful run around to hoodwink the Wasps defence in the tenth minute, Smith converting the try he created.

Cain, who had missed a sixth minute drop goal attempt, lobbed a kick over the Bramley defence for winger Fata Sini to pick up and touch down, but referee Paul Lee spotted a push by Sini on Neil Kite.

On loan Leeds Rhino Dean Lawford, whose distribution was immaculate, created the platform for Wayne Freeman to add to York's woes, substitute Steve Barnett acting as the middle man in the move.

Smith again converted to give Bramley a 12-0 start but Tichener and Booth were both in harness and foraging forward for the Wasps.

Tichener could have scored from Alan Pallister's sharp pass but a second chance was not to be refused when a fortuitous knock on call went York's way.

Mick Crane shipped the ball out to the right wing where Shaun Austerfield presented Sini with a walk-in try, converted by Chris Hopcutt.

Crane and Dobson failed to break through with their soccer approach in the 33rd minute but some smart handling from Austerfield and Andy Hill took possession to the line.

Hooker Pallister twisted and turned from dummy half before reaching out for the line and his first try of the Second Division campaign.

Hopcutt again converted and the Wasps only trailed at half-time to Smith's penalty, awarded for offside.

Superb defence saw the Wasps keep their hosts out for three consecutive sets of six close to the line but a lack of awareness put York back under pressure, the visitors failing to kick on the last tackle.

Lawford's individual effort, converted by Smith, punished that oversight and left York with an eight point deficit and tired legs to overcome.

However, two tries in three minutes rocked Bramley back, the first seeing back-in-favour Matt Lambert and Strange combine to send Hopcutt over.

A blunder by Leeds loanee Terry Newton completed York's second comeback, the forward off-loading into the grateful grasp of Alex Godfrey, who sprinted away for his fifth try of the season.

Strange slotted over the winning point in the 71st minute after Dobson had sensibly driven the ball down the middle.

Cain's restart sailed straight into touch but Smith declined the penalty option from halfway and Bramley's last chance was gone.

Poynter's last ditch scruff of the neck challenge on Cain prevented a fifth York try but the two points were rich enough reward for the visitors.

Hogg the Builder/Evening Press Man of the Match : Mark Cain

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