GARETH Lloyd scored a first-half hat-trick as York Acorn ARLC kept their slim hopes of promotion alive with a 28-10 defeat of Normanton.

The result keeps the Blue and Golds third in National Conference division two, while one of their main rivals, Waterhead, lost their second game on the trot.

Stand-off Andy Lee opened Acorn's account in the eighth minute, goaled by Andy Gar-gan, before former York City Knights and Doncaster centre Lloyd stormed in with his treble for an 18-0 half-time lead.

Normanton tried to glean the ascendancy after the interval, led by stand-off Michael Butterfield, but, with prop Adam Endersby standing out, the hosts increased their lead as prolific winger Johnny Waldron flew in.

Normanton forward Kevin Bateman and Butterfield both crossed as the visitors got on the scoreboard, Lee Aspinall gaoling one, but Waldron got a second try and Gargan landed a penalty as the home team killed the game.

Form-finding Saddleworth are now only two points behind third-bottom Heworth after they trounced Huddersfield Sharks 40-10

Heworth stayed third-bottom after a 44-16 defeat at leaders Eastmoor and are now only two points ahead of form-finding Saddleworth, who trounced Huddersfield Sharks 40-10 to swap places at the foot of the table.

Saddleworth have a game in hand on Heworth and a better points-difference so the Villa-gers may need something from their last two games.

Eastmoor, now assured of promotion, were 20-4 ahead at half-time, Heworth's points coming from an 80-metre interception from top-scorer Gavin Grant, and although the visitors also crossed through the impressive Wayne Foster and youngster John Bird, Carl Potter goaling both, the Dragons never lost control. Their eight tries came from Andrew Phillips, Leigh Joyce, Kevin Brown (2), Gra-ham Fisher, James Ganley, Jason Hawley and Drew Meadows, Joyce goaling six.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, April 11, 2005