LEE Crooks has targeted another half-back as one of his main priorities as York Wasps begin the countdown to the start of the Northern Ford Premiership season.

Newcomers Paddy Handley and Gareth Stepens were the only half-backs on show at Huntington Stadium last night as the Wasps pre-season campaign got underway with an 8-0 defeat by Hunslet Hawks.

And Crooks revealed that he had spoken to two players this week, including a half-back, and is hoping to tie up a deal next week.

"We've only got two recognised half-backs and I'm looking to try to resolve that. When Gareth was on we weren't that well organised but when he went off we struggled more," said Crooks, who was satisfied with York's performance.

"I learned quite a lot. The result wasn't important although it would have been good for confidence if we'd got a win.

"Hunslet were probably a better organised team and adapted to the conditions better. We didn't control the ball as well as we could and lacked a bit of organisation but we were chopping and changing with 22 players which could explain that.

"Overall I was fairly pleased, certainly with our second half performance. After a chat at half-time people responded - it's when they don't you have a problem."