YORK College rugby league development centre coach Jack Stearman says the set-up there is “all about improving players” – and he is optimistic they will make big strides in the next few days alone following a heavy defeat.

York were promoted to the premier division of the Yorkshire Colleges League after topping division one last year but the new-look young side have found life tough in the higher tier, culminating in a 76-4 defeat in a rearranged match at Calderdale College on Wednesday.

Calderdale are rated by many as the best sixth-form side in the county, if not the country, and they will test Stearman’s charges again this coming Wednesday in a quick return match at Sim Balk Lane.

Said Stearman: “We (the college) had the choice of playing in the premier league or staying in the division we won last season but this centre is all about personal development and players improving and testing themselves and you do that by playing at the highest level you can.

“I’ve been on the thick end of some drubbings as a player but you learn from it.

“Calderdale, to be fair, are the best team in the competition by a long way and we’ve got them at home next up when we’ll hopefully show we’ve learned a few things.”

Loose-forward Joe Deighton was York’s top player on Wednesday and scored their sole try.