York end Bramley jinx at third time of asking York 27, Bramley 10

Third time lucky was proverbial cry at Huntington Stadium.

The dizzy heights of second place are York Rugby League Club's reward for finally shaking off their Bramley jinx.

The Wasps defeated the Villagers at the third attempt to force their way back into the Second Division's top three.

A hat-trick of defeats by the Headingley side would have seriously hampered York's promotion push but Bramley are now occupy the unenviable catch up position.

The hosts took advantage of a far from inspired Bramley showing to claim a 27-10 victory and move level on points with their visitors with a game in hand.

Bramley's hoodoo hold over the Wasps was in full flow when centre Dan Potter raced away for a third minute try.

But York overcame that nightmare start with a subsequently chanceless defensive performance allied to some outstanding attacking play.

The visitors failed to find an answer to York's repeated left wing raids, orchestrated by brilliant centre Shaun Austerfield and finished off by two-try winger Leigh Deakin.

Each of the five tries conceded by Bramley stemmed from the left, with Austerfield playing a central part in four as well as seeing another three prime chances go begging.

The two sides belied their top of the table status by matching each other mistake for mistake in the opening 15 minutes.

But, while the Villagers failed to improve, the Wasps managed to recover from initial slumber.

Potter's opening try stemmed from a rare defensive error as the former New Earswick All Blacks junior raced between the static double act of Fata Sini and Craig Moore.

But thereafter only the kicking of Gavin Brown kept Bramley in first half contention, the scrum-half twice punishing York's inability to retreat ten metres.

Meanwhile, Austerfield and ever-improving full-back Mark Cain were showing signs of gaining an attacking upper hand for the Wasps.Cain joined the line to link with Austerfield in the 11th minute but a pass out wide to Deakin went to ground.

There was no such mistake after recalled hooker Alan Pallister won possession in the Bramley half, the next drive ending with Austerfield sending Deakin over for his first score.

A weaving, elusive run from Austerfield prised Bramley open again only for a forward pass by Andy Precious to prevent a first try of the season for captain Stuart Flowers.

A forced final pass was to be the Wasps' downfall again in the 32nd minute, this time Cain over-eager to send Austerfield away.

Precious and Leroy Rivett each had a spell in the sin-bin for their squabble in the 33rd minute as referee Ron Laughton showed rare authority in a first half constantly interrupted by the whistle.

Moore's 36th minute try - unsurprisingly created by Austerfield - was a psychological breakthrough for the Wasps as they took the lead against Bramley for the first time in three meetings this season.

Cain's conversion put them 10-8 in front and it was a lead they only briefly relinquished when Kris Smith opened the second period with a penalty.

Flowers eventually snared the maiden try denied him in the first half, Austerfield opting to send the captain away inside rather than pass outside to Deakin.

However, the winger was on hand again seven minutes later to add the finishing touches to Cain's darting break, the full-back also adding the extras.

A drop goal from Precious provided extra security but the victory was assured with eight minutes remaining when Austerfield ducked away from a tackle near the line and sent Cain in at the corner.

Hogg The Builder/Evening Press Man of the Match :

Shaun Austerfield

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.