FIVE-STAR captain Stuart Flowers was today anticipating a long stay at the Second Division summit for York Rugby League Club.

The largest Huntington Stadium crowd for four seasons saw the Wasps roar to the top of the table with a 27-6 triumph over Oldham yesterday.

And second row forward Flowers stretched his unbeaten record to five games since being appointed skipper in April.

Said Flowers: "We have set our aim to go top and set a target of six out of eight points from the last four games. We have ended up with eight out of eight and we are happy with that.

"It was a big crowd and we just need to keep these York supporters coming down. We are going to go places and we need to send the message out to them that York are going to do well this season and could do with their support to keep us going."

The skipper declared the Wasps' forwards were steeled for a physical battle with Oldham yesterday.

"It had to be. There were some big hits and we had to go out there and get stuck in. They are a big set and they intimidate sides. But we had the first few big hits of the match and they got a bit rattled," said Flowers.

The Wasps singled out centre Afi Leuila and second rower Joe Nadiole, a York target earlier this season, as the potential danger men for the Roughyeds.

However, Leuila was sent off for punching full-back Mark Cain in the 29th minute and Nadiole was hit out of the Oldham front line, being substituted after half an hour.

Flowers added: "Leuila is strong out wide and the job was to take him out of the game. Leuila and Nadiole, they were the two threats, but I think we have done quite a good job. The boss told us to keep our discipline and we did it very well."

Bramley's 16-12 defeat at Barrow Border Raiders allowed the Wasps to take over at the head of the table on points difference, with York holding a game in hand on the Villagers.

Flowers and his team-mates have an immediate opportunity to put daylight between themselves and Bramley when the top two sides collide at Headingley on Friday.

The skipper said: "It would be good to go to Bramley on Friday and top them and go clear. This is the beginning, we are top but we need to keep working hard to stop there and get it won early."

Meanwhile, yesterday's attendance of 1,482 was the largest Huntington Stadium gate since December 11, 1994, when 2,277 saw the Wasps defeated 52-12 by Keighley.

Coach Dean Robinson admitted the stadium was like a "different place" with the atmosphere of a sizeable crowd.

"A lot of the crowd was down to the Oldham following but we need to keep doing what we are doing and give the fans something to cheer and watch," he said.

"It is nice to see that many and it gives the lads a great fillip and makes them feel they are achieving something, plus it puts a bob or two in the coffers."

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