YORK Rugby League Club's amateur angst is at an end.

After successive defeats by the part-timers of West Hull and Dudley Hill, the Huntington Stadium side were relieved the shock therapy was dished out to second division foes Doncaster Dragons and Bramley.

But amateurs Norland compelled the Wasps to recall the ghosts of humblings past by refusing to be shaken off until deep into the second period.

Despite being reduced to 12 men by the 16th minute sending off of former York player Darren Hutchinson, the Hull and District League side flourished under the experienced leadership of loose forward Gary Lumb.

If the 37-5 scoreline implies a comfortable victory, nothing could more mask the truth as an edgy York side fumbled and floundered their way through much of the first half.

Referee Paul Lee, who made his presence felt in the Wasps friendly against Hunslet last week, was again a busy figure as the game erupted into a free-for-all brawl on three occasions.

Two of the incidents were placed on report by the Leigh official, while the third resulted in sin-binnings for Lea Tichener and Norland's Brian Robinson, plus a red card for visiting coach Keith Foster.

While the handling was largely awful, the tackling in defence from both sides was awesome, leading to a low scoring opening period.

Stand-off Lee Hanlan began a drop goal spree with an 11th minute one-pointer and Silk Cut man-of-the-match Lumb responded with two of his own, either side of Hutchinson's harsh dismissal for a high tackle on Hanlan.

Norland's mainstay then collected his own chipped kick to go close but the loose forward was guilty of giving away the game's opening try.

Lumb passed the ball straight into Paul Darley's arms and debutant Shaun Austerfield finished the counter attack with a try, despite being debagged on his way over the line.

Substitute Andy Precious calmed the Wasps' nerves with a pair of penalties after half-time, one for a high tackle on Mark Cain which sparked brawl number one.

York were again hauled back by Lumb's penalty and third drop goal and, had the amateurs scored next that unwanted treble may have hoved into view.

But captain cool Alan Pallister produced a game-breaking two tries in three minutes to ensure safe passage into round four.

The skipper pounced to score under the posts when Martin Baker lost the ball and the hooker repeated the dose with a last tackle dash to the line.

Precious converted and then bagged a penalty after brawl number two which was stirred by a tackle which left Norland's Dave Carrick floored, prompting Carrick's mother to run on to the field and confront the officials before being escorted away by Lumb.

Injury time - which was predictably plentiful - brought a brace of tries for winger Leigh Deakin, the second stemming from a magnificent take from Cain's upfield punt.

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