York Wasps' young Academy side again threw away the chance of victory in an entertaining home encounter with Dewsbury Rams Academy, going down 25-16.

Twice the Wasps dropped the ball over their opponents' goal line at crucial times in the match.

Dewsbury opened the scoring with a converted try after 17 minutes of sustained pressure, brought about by York's inability to control the ball.

York then began to work their way back into the match, Tom Lyons being tackled into touch and Richard Scott crossing the try line only to lose possession.

The continued pressure paid off when good support play saw full-back Kyle Wood cross for an unconverted try after 22 minutes.

Lack of concentration then allowed Dewsbury back into the game and when a Rams player appeared to be held in the tackle, the York players stopped but the referee allowed play to continue and the Rams scored to go 12-4 up at the break.

York came out in determined mood, scoring a try after just three minutes through Marc Dawson. Andy Gargan's conversion brought York to within two points of the visitors.

The game flowed from end to end but it was Dewsbury who were next on the scoresheet, running through some poor York tackling.

The Wasps almost hit back through second rower Chris Ackrill when he crashed over between the posts but was unable to ground the ball.

York continued to press and on 69 minutes scrum-half Ritchie Hunter cut through the Rams' defence for a try that was reward for another hard working performance. Paul Flynn added the conversion to leave York just 18-16 adrift.

York then pressed the self destruct button, trying to get passes out in impossible positions. Dewsbury capitalised, adding a drop goal and then scoring a converted try.

Man of the match for the Wasps was hooker Robbie Dolan.

York Academy: Kyle Wood, Robert Scott, Sean Flynn, Chris Spain, George Bothroyd, Marc Dawson, Ritchie Hunter, Nick Burgess, Robbie Dolan, Tom Lyons, Chris Keld, Chris Ackrill, Andy Gargan. Subs (all used): Paul Flynn, Jason Harper, Ben Peacham, Lee Havercroft.

Updated: 16:15 Tuesday, May 29, 2001