SUPER League clubs are getting behind the Wasps in their bid for survival.

Challenge Cup winners Bradford Bulls are sending their popular mascots Bullman and Bullboy to take part in a challenge event before York's clash with Hull KR tomorrow.

In response to the Evening Press campaign to keep the Wasps buzzing, the Bulls media manager Stuart Duffy issued this message to the Wasps fans: "It should be a fun day. Get down and support your local club or there may not be a club to support."

Castleford Tigers have done plenty of development work in York and have a large supporter base in the city.

Their three mascots are unable to make the game due to family commitments, while their players are unable to attend because they are on holiday until Monday.

However, media manager Michael McDonald said the Tigers would do everything they could to help the Wasps and is appealing to their fans to make use of Castleford's blank weekend to watch York.

"We have a lot of supporters who follow both clubs. We've brought a lot of new families into the sport and we would ask them to go along and support York," he said.

"There is a strong rugby community in York and I know people at the club work tirelessly. It would be a tragedy if they go out of existence."

Also joining in the mascots challenge is Rufus the Robin from Hull KR, Yorkie from York City and the Wasps' very own Wobby.

Attempts to host a parade of former players before tomorrow's game have failed.

Former Great Britain and York legend Jeff Stevenson was hoping to round up some fellow ex-players to show their support for the Wasps.

But he was unable to raise sufficient numbers so the idea has now been scrapped.

However, Stevenson himself, who won 19 Great Britain caps in the Fifties, including four when he was at York, will be making a rare trip to the Stadium for the game.

On a lighter note, did any eagle-eyed York fans spot the deliberate mistake in the Wasps pack at Batley?

It appeared that Michael Smith and Steve Hill had swopped positions when Smith walked out in the number 10 prop shirt and Hill the number 12 second row shirt.

But Smith did in fact play in the second row and Hill, as usual ,was at prop.

So had it all been a ploy to confuse the opposition? Nothing quite so technical, I can reveal.

The Wasps are simply not used to having players of Smith's size and only three shirts - the numbers 8, 10 and 16, actually fit him. So expect more of the same tomorrow.

ONE Wasps player could be about to swap the rugby pitch for the oche, judging by the hints he has been dropping over the last week.

Apparently he now goes by the name of Keith Deller (former world darts champion) after shocking his team-mates with some rather worrying attire after Monday's victory over Batley.

At the post-match celebrations, he turned up at a city centre pub in a very snazzy darts shirt, and sneaked off early amid rumours that he was heading for the nearest oche.

He will remain anonymous, but here's a few clues - he's only played a couple of games for the Wasps, can often be found down at Thanet Road and has a penchant for Geordie Jeans.