YORK Acorn ARLC, fielding a side made up of first-teamers, second-teamers and under-18s, lost 34-10 to the Royal Navy and Marines side on a club fundraising day at Thanet Road.

Acorn boss Dave Kay, who is to quit as coach of the promoted first team after next week's York Accident Cup final, said: "It was a good day.

"They were what you'd expect from a Forces team - they're a big, physical side, all built like Popeye, and they played a simple game.

"We'll have a return fixture with them in pre-season and perhaps go training at their camp so it's building good links with them."

Paul Sawyer and Alan Willitts got Acorn's tries, while Lee Franks was man of the match. Kay also gave a 20-minute run-out for assistant coach Barry Gargan, who thus played alongside his sons, Andy and teenager Tom.

Updated: 11:21 Monday, May 16, 2005