IT was a tale of two halves as New Earswick All Blacks ARL Club failed to capitalise on a great first-half display and lost 32-18 at Siddal 'A'.

All Blacks led 12-2 at the interval but suffered a disappointing second period.

The home side went in front on six minutes with a penalty but Ben Jones kicked two points to level the scores.

Despite much All Blacks pressure, it was not until the half-hour mark when Chris Judge released Alan Pallister to race 15 yards under the posts, Jones adding the extras.

Jones slotted two more penalties to give the visitors their half-time advantage and, at that stage, they looked in control of the game.

But the start of the second half saw All Blacks switch off and two converted tries early on saw Siddal nose in front.

New Earswick played much of the first half without possession and Siddal scored two more converted tries to lead 32-12.

Consolation for All Blacks was provided three minutes from time with the best try of the game.

The ball travelled through five pairs of hands and finished with substitute forward Al Davidson crossing the line. Jones converted but it was too little, too late.

All Blacks' man of the match was Alan Pallister with Judge and Carl Pallister also outstanding.

Heworth 'A' completed a Yorkshire League double over Sharlston with an exciting 15-12 away win.

The visitors started strongly and went ahead after just two minutes when evergreen scrum-half Chris Hammerton chipped the ball over the defence and the lively Jamie Richardson touched down.

Powerhouse forward Paul Gill then crashed over for another unconverted try soon afterwards.

In the second half, debutante Liam Watling, who had an outstanding game along with fellow Under-18 players Sam Johnston, Paul Thompson and Adam Flint, latched on to a superb kick by Richardson to score in the corner.

Thompson added a well-struck conversion and Heworth looked comfortable at 14-0.

But Sharlston hit back with two converted tries to ensure a tense finale before Hammerton coolly slotted over a drop goal to seal victory.

Keighley Albion 'A' failed to show for Saturday's Pennine League fixture at Selby Warriors who will now claim the points which keeps them well clear at the top of division five, four clear of nearest challengers Park Amateurs 'A', who have a game in hand.

Warriors 'A' team went down 56-20 in a friendly against Peterlee Pumas, who fielded five Selby players.

Warriors try scorers where Richard Tune, Dave Paterson, Craig Coldfield and Alan Carse.

Karl Simpson was among those loaned to Peterlee and set up a try for another Warrior playing for the visitors, Andy Hodgets.

York Groves went down 30-10 in the same division but York Acorn 'A' cemented the leadership of division four with a 34-16 victory over Slaithwaite Saracens.

RUGBY LEAGUE RESULTS

Pennine League

Div 4: Birkenshaw 'A' 16, Drighlington 'A' 60; Brighouse Rangers 'A' 10, Huddersfield Sharks 8; Wyke 22, Undercliffe 30; York Acorn 34, Slaithwaite Saracens 16.

Div 5: Cowling Harlequins 30, York Groves 10; Selby Warriors 0, Keighley Albion 'A' 30; West Craven Warriors 22, West Bowling 'B' 18; Wetherby Bulldogs 36, Park Amateurs 'A' 15.

Updated: 11:00 Tuesday, December 07, 2004