York 44, Doncaster 12

Hogg The Builder/Evening Press Man of the Match : Andy Hill Seven-try York Rugby League Club refuelled their Second Division challenge with a second half demolition of Doncaster Dragons.

The Wasps rediscovered their finishing touch as they rattled up 36 points after the interval to streak away to a 44-12 victory at Huntington Stadium.

A welcome first win in three games ensured the hosts kept up with the Second Division pacesetters and also got off the mark in the White Rose Championship series.

Full-back Mark Cain marked his return to the starting line-up with a brace of tries and Fata Sini indicated he is more settled on the wing with a matching two-try spurt.

The Wasps' bright start stalled slightly following a double sending off, which saw prop Lea Tichener and Dragons second rower Tony Miller dismissed.

However, six post-interval tries - all but one converted by Craig Booth and Mark Cain - completed a clinical disposal of the division's basement side.

The Wasps' performance was a world away from their previous two outings, the error-strewn, confidence-collapsing defeats to Bramley and Batley.

Loan signing Mick Crane applied much-needed invention at scrum-half and his promptings were complemented by the return of loose forward Paul Darley, who continues to impress at the hub of the Wasps attack.

Second rower Andy Hill turned in 80 minutes of solid graft in a York pack seemingly returning to the big-hitting form which was such a feature of the recent five-game winning run.

And the icing on the cake was the discovery of some kicking consistency, Booth immaculate on his way to six successful kicks from seven attempts.

The home side enjoyed the best possible start as, after Lee Hanlan improvised on the last tackle, Sini shrugged off two tacklers to score in the corner in the third minute.

Sini almost ran on to Darley's grubber kick in the 11th minute but the winger touched down just beyond the in-goal area.

New Scottish international recruit Booth departed to the blood bin for four stitches in nasty ear injury in the 15th minute.

But when Doncaster player coach Colin Maskill headed to the sin-bin for dissent the Wasps appeared to hold the upper hand, Cain adding to the Dragons dismay by grabbing two points following an offside decision.

However, the double dismissal, which was also placed on report by Leigh official Paul Lee, robbed York of their principle big hitter in Tichener and they lost their way until the interval. Tichener appeared unfortunate to go, the Wasps prop receiving a boot to the face and a flurry of punches from Miller, who also saw red.

Hooker Chris Watson gave the Wasps a wake up call by going close to the line, only to lose possession to opposite number Gareth Dobson. But York were still in their slumber when Gavin Morgan went over directly from a Doncaster scrum in the 36th minute, scrum-half Edwards adding the two extra points.

Referee Lee conjured a curious decision just before half-time in awarding a penalty to York for Chris Watson's alleged high tackle on Dobson, despite clearly indicating Watson's leading arm rode up from Dobson's chest.

Booth produced his only kicking blemish from the penalty, later putting the rare miss down to a split in his boot.

John Strange replaced Lee Hanlan at the break and the stand-off played a leading role in the Wasps virtual point-a-minute performance.

Cain stepped around Edwards for a superb individual effort in the 42nd minute and, after Edwards kicked a penalty, Strange got on the scoresheet after Darley and Crane combined.

Booth's penalty was quickly followed by Cain's second try, Strange sending Crane clear and the scrum-half off-loading for the full-back to score.

A sweeping move involving Shaun Austerfield, Craig Moore and Sini ended with Darley doing a twirl and diving acrobatically over the line on the hour.

Maskill fed second rower Mark Kear for a brief Dragons response in the 66th minute but the Wasps were rampant, winning a scrum against the head and Sini ramming Edwards out of his way for a second try.

Austerfield added the final flourish after more impressive work by Darley and Crane, with Cain's conversion increasing the winning margin.

Judging by Darley's extravagant attempt to flip the ball through his legs to a team-mate in the 77th minute, this second half Dragon slaying has gone some way to restoring belief in York's promotion bid.

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