NEW Earswick returned to the top of Pennine League division two as they hammered mid-table Emley Moor 68-4.

Previous leaders Newsome Panthers lost 18-12 at home to Kippax Welfare - who, with games in hand, appear to be All Blacks' biggest title threat - giving the York side the chance to leapfrog them on points-difference.

And this they did in emphatic style, boosting their points-difference to plus-267, substantially greater than the Panthers' paltry plus-108.

Former York Wasps hooker Alan Pallister led the way with a hat-trick of tries, while full-back Paul Dooley and substitute second-row Nigel Wilson got two apiece.

Second-row Alan Davidson got the ball rolling early on and, although the All Blacks were briefly reduced to 12 men after Jez Petch was sin-binned for throwing a punch, they went further ahead with first tries for Pallister and Dooley.

Dan Wellard kept the scoreboard ticking over before Wilson scored a fine individual touchdown from 40 yards out, with Chris Judge completing the first half scoring.

All Blacks scored the best try of the match two minutes after the restart as Jamie Rhodes' great break was carried on by Judge, who gave Dooley his second score.

Pallister followed his own kick to score again and then broke through to send over Ben Jones, who in turn, turned provider for Wilson to get his second try.

Jones lost his 100 per cent conversion success rate before Emley got their consolation try. But Rowan Wallace-Hill got All Blacks rolling again, James Sanderson converting, and Pallister completed his treble late on before Emley's bad day was completed as they had a man sent off for throwing a hay-maker punch at fresh air.

All Blacks' man of the match in a fine team display was prop Eddie Keeping, with Pallister, Rhodes and Jones also to the fore.

Selby Warriors improved their points-difference even more than the All Blacks as they walloped Keighley Albion 'A' 78-1 in division five, a result which took them to the top of the table as previous leaders Bank Top Harriers were not in action.

York Groves ended their bad run, albeit by default, as they were awarded a 30-0 win at bottom club Victoria Rangers.

Wyke missed the chance to leapfrog York Acorn 'A', who were not in action, to the top of division four as they lost 22-18 at home to mid-table Slaithwaite Saracens.

Updated: 10:44 Tuesday, February 01, 2005