Basic instincts are behind York Rugby League Club's rise to the forefront of the Second Division scramble.

Fiery prop forward Craig Booth revealed a "keep it simple" key to a four-game winning run which has thrust the Wasps into second place.

The Wasps turned in another superb exhibition of attacking rugby to wrap up a 29-8 victory over Doncaster Dragons at Belle Vue yesterday.

And Booth believes everything is finally falling into place for his team-mates.

"We have started keeping to basic rugby in training and yesterday we got a great start, before going back into chucking balls about," said the former Hunslet forward.

"We knew what it would be like going there. When we came for our pre-season friendly we didn't take them seriously enough. This time we said give them plenty of respect and make sure we get stuck in.

"We kept taking it forward to them and the defence stood up again. Our defence will stick to anyone in this division. We have won four in a row and we have got to keep it going now.

"It is a good side, a good set of lads and we are knitting together well now. I can't see why we can't go all the way. It is now up to ourselves. We know if we just keep winning, everyone else will falter."

After starting the season in driving sleet and sub-zero temperatures, the Wasps endured the opposite extreme of sweltering heat at Belle Vue.

Said Booth: "It was hot but we are getting plenty of work in training. You have got to try and get a breather when you can." The prop forward took an impromptu breather when referee Ray Cornish sent him to the sin-bin for fighting with Dragons scrum-half John Edwards.

Edwards also walked after clearly landing the opening blow but Booth followed for retaliation, the only blot on his best Wasps outing since signing from Hunslet in the close season.

Coach Dean Robinson praised his side for following the Lancashire win by downing the Dragons, thereby doubling up on away victories for the first time since 1994.

"I am very pleased, not only with the four wins in a row but the two away from home, which was a big problem last season," he said.

"I don't think we have fired on all cylinders but we have still come away comfortable winners, which augurs well. I have been preaching all week that Doncaster would be very tough."

The Wasps enjoyed the perfect start, scoring three tries in the opening 15 minutes through Shaun Austerfield, Leigh Deakin and Lee Hanlan.

Robinson said: "If anything I think we did too good a job in the first quarter. We took our foot off the gas and let them back into the game. But in the second half we defended very well and in the last quarter I sent the message on to close the game out."

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