Classy Callaghan

Peter Edwards off-loads the ball to Richard Goddard with Mick Ramsden and Lea Tichener in support as York set up another attack. Pictures by David Harrison

Gotcha!: York Wasps' Richard Goddard is stopped by Batley hooker Mark Cass

Star man: Wasps man of the match Darren Callaghan makes a break against Batley, with Mark Cain (left) in support. Picture: David Harrison.

No team should be happy conceding a 12-point lead, especially when the game is there for the taking. But sometimes credit has to go to the opposition and on this occasion Batley Bulldogs pulled something out of nothing.

The Wasps looked the better side in attack and when a converted Darren Callaghan try extended their lead to 20-8 five minutes into the second half they looked to be cruising. But the battling Bulldogs refused to accept defeat and earned a share of the points with two tries in the space of four minutes.

It is hard to criticise the Wasps who looked a different side to that beaten in Cumbria last week. The early alarm call for the noon kick-off seemed to do the job as they looked alert, sharp and solid in defence.

Callaghan's move to scrum half was a master stroke as he added an extra dimension to the York attack and complemented half back partner Mark Cain.

It was fine performance too from Peter Edwards who was handed the hooking role ahead of Alan Pallister. He was a constant threat from dummy half and his quick distribution was a major factor in allowing his team-mates to make valuable ground.

And Jamie Benn was in superb kicking form, his six goals from seven attempts keeping York in the game despite Batley scoring three tries to two.

But it was in defence where the Wasps really shone. Where it had succumbed so meekly at Derwent Park, the defensive line stood firm under immense Batley pressure, especially in the first half.

In that first period poor discipline from the visitors gave York the upper hand as Benn took full advantage, kicking four penalties to help the Wasps to a 14-8 interval lead.

One of those kicks had given York an early lead before former Great Britain centre Roger Simpson showed pace to put Batley in front on 18 minutes with a try which Richard Price converted from wide out.

Benn and Price exchanged penalties then both sides found themselves down to 12 men when Paul Darley and Gary Lord were sin-binned after half an hour for fighting.

The extra space favoured the Wasps and they deservedly went in front with a Cain try. Craig Booth intercepted a pass in his own 20 metre area and a good break by Iefata Sini set up play 15 metres from the Batley line. Callaghan found Cain and the stand off brushed off three challenges to go in to the right of the posts for Benn to add the two points.

Two more penalties put York in charge at half-time, the second for a suspect challenge on Cain prompting Premiership debutant referee Richard Silverwood to put the incident on report.

Playing with a wind in the second half York were confident of making the most of the advantage, and the strength of the wind was demonstrated early on when Cain's drop out from underneath his own posts reached the Batley try-line.

There seemed no way back for Batley when Callaghan grabbed a deserved try four minutes into the half, and what a try it was. Cain showed a great turn of pace to break from inside his own half and the ball was worked to John Strange and then Sini. His pass went to ground and, though it bounced forward, it had gone backwards first and the referee rightly waved play on when Shaun Austerfield gathered the ball and off-loaded to Callaghan to score under the posts, leaving Benn another simple kick.

It certainly looked all over four minutes later when the strong-running Sini gathered a loose ball to race over the Batley line but his effort was ruled out for offside, giving Batley just the break they had been looking for.

After a long spell of pressure Price finally breached the York defence after a well-timed short ball from Paul Harrison and Price converted.

Then Paul Darley was made to pay for a missed drop goal attempt as Batley pulled level. Gary Barnett and lively sub Lee Bardauskas combined to send in Simpson for his second, Price again succeeding with the kick, to set up a thrilling finish.

Benn attempted a hopeful penalty kick from inside his own half which sailed just wide, then Cain charged down a Barnett drop kick and raced half the length of the pitch before finding Callaghan who was tackled into touch just short of the line.

So York were denied at the fifth attempt following their four defeats by the Bulldogs last season. But at least the Wasps can take heart from a powerful performance as they go into their Easter double whammy against title chasers Hull KR and Hunslet.

Godfrey treble

Former York Wasps winger Alex Godfrey turned on the style with a hat-trick of tries for Dewsbury Rams in their 58-24 demolition of Workington Town.

Godfrey, in impressive form for his new club in the opening games of the Northern Ford Premiership, also set up the try of the match for fellow wingman Adrian Flynn as the Rams moved up to fourth place.

Hull KR, the Wasps next opponents on Friday, top the table following their 12-0 win over Bramley on Friday night while Hunslet, who York face on easter Monday, stay in second place. The Hawks were 30-12 winners over Doncaster Dragons for whom ex-York forward Stuart Flowers came on as a substitute.

Elsewhere in the Premiership, Widnes stayed on course for the play-offs with a 33-18 victory at struggling Oldham and surprise packages Leigh Centurions are third after a 44-26 win at Barrow.

Wasps Match Facts

York Wasps 20

Tries: Cain (35), Callaghan (44)

Goals: Benn 6Sin-bin: Darley (31)

John Strange 7, Jamie Benn 7, Richard Goddard 7, Shaun Austerfield 6, Iefata Sini 8, Mark Cain 7, Darren Callaghan 8, Mike Hagan 7, Peter Edwards 8, Steve Hill 6, Chris Judge 7, Matt Lambert 6, Paul Darley 6. Subs: Alan Pallister (for Edwards 70), Craig Booth (Hill 26) 8, Mick Ramsden (Lambert 20) 7, Tichener (Hagan 61) 6. Re-subs: Hill (for Darley 69), Hagan (Tichener 77)

Scrums: 5. Penalties: 11.

Batley Bulldogs 20

Tries:Simpson (18, 70), Price (66)

Goals: Price 4Sin-bin: Lord (31)

Steve Walker, Lee Bargate, Wayne Flynn, Roger Simpson, Paul Gleadhill, Richard Price, Gary Barnett, Gary Lord, Mark Cass, Chris McWilliam, Graham Middleton, Brett Patterson, Paul Harrison. Subs: Lee Bardauskas (for Brooke 40), Grant Miers (Patterson 40), Richard Brooke (Middleton 33). Re-subs: Patterson (for Miers 69). Not used: Tony Walton.

Scrums: 8. Penalties: 11

H/T: 14-8

Ref: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield))

Attendance: 804

Match rating: 8/10

Weather: Sunny, windy

The Evening Press Man of the Match

Darren Callaghan: Gave the Wasps the inspiration they have been lacking at scrum half. At number seven for the first time, Callaghan was a constant threat and rightly deserved the shirt

Wasps duo produce dazzling display

by Dianne Hillaby

Darren Callaghan and Mike Hagan came through their latest tests with flying colours, and earned high praise from York Wasps coach Dean Robinson after their starring roles in the 20-20 draw with Batley Bulldogs.

Former Acorn ace Callaghan, who was handed the scrum half shirt for the first time in yesterday's Huntington Stadium showdown, justified his selection by collecting the man of the match award for a commanding performance.

And prop forward Mike Hagan was a revelation as he started his first game since breaking his collar bone before the start of last season.

The pair were singled out by Robinson, who praised his team despite throwing away a 12 point lead in the second half.

"Daz has done particularly well. Mark Cain at stand-off needed someone like him to give his the breathing space. He looked the part," said Robinson, who confirmed that Callaghan would wear the number shirt at Hull KR on Friday despite Andy Preston having completed his suspension.

"Hagan had a fantastic game. He's been rock solid and I'm delighted for the kid. He's answered the problem of getting a big number eight down to the club because we've bred our own."

They were among the highlights of an impressive team performance which was in contrast to the dismal showing at Workington last week.

"The Wasps showed more of the spirit which served them so well earlier in the season but Robinson admitted the result was disappointing.

He said: "If we'd played like that at Workington we'd have come away with two points. We've got to view it as a point lost rather than a point gained but it was a great game and there were two quality sides out there today and both outfits defended well.

"Batley started particularly well and gained the upper hand but we've controlled the game from the 20 minute mark to half-time.

"In the second half we got the try that mattered but then as a team and certain individuals thought the game was there for the taking. But credit to Batley, they've come back and earned a point."

Richard Goddard was the only casualty (ankle injury), while Jamie Benn took a knock on the head but should be fit to face Hull KR.

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