NEW Earswick All Blacks were not at their best but the 22-14 win at Ovenden 'A' kept them right in the Pennine League division two promotion race.

Man of the match Jamie Rhodes excelled in the second-row and props Eddie Keeping and Jo Jo Hnesh were also superb as All Blacks benefited from leaders Emley Moor's crushing defeat to unbeaten Kippax.

All Blacks started well and went ahead with a penalty for dissent by Dave Carling, who was back at full-back, while quick-thinking by hooker Alan Pallister saw him dart over from acting-half to score out wide.

Carling then succumbed to a groin injury, to be replaced by Phil Turpin, but there was little disruption as a great break by Rhodes led to Keeping forcing his way over.

All Blacks looked comfortable at 10-0 but then began to spill too much ball and the hosts drew level with two tries and a conversion either side of the half-hour mark.

All Blacks retook the lead on half-time as Pallister sent Rhodes crashing in but they suffered a blow as centre Dan Wellard also had to retire due to injury, with Nigel Wilson coming into the second-row for his first appearance for the club in three years after a spell at Heworth.

Ovenden levelled with a try out wide, but a Carl Pallister penalty edged the visitors ahead again before Alan Pallister sent Rhodes in for his second try and the game was sealed five minutes from time when the home stand-off was sent off for punching Carl Pallister, who added a two-pointer.

Player-coach Simon Moat scored a hat-trick as York Groves enjoyed a 32-22 home victory over lowly but lively Clayton 'A'.

Moat opened the Terriers' account when pouncing on a loose ball after the Clayton winger spilled a huge bomb by Jason Dunn, who added the first of four conversions.

The outstanding Paul Fairclough then put in a huge hit which dislodged the ball, giving Groves possession close to the line, and hooker Matt Corr

supplied a sweet pass to Moat to go over again.

Clayton hit back with a penalty and converted try before Moat completed a first-half treble with another close range effort.

Clayton stayed in touch with two unconverted tries despite some excellent last-ditch tackles from full-back Paul Marshall but as half-time approached Corr made a break and fed wingman John Rushworth to increase the hosts' lead.

Groves drew first blood after the break and again the impressive Corr was the provider, putting Chris Smith over in the corner. And, although Clayton crossed again, man of the match Dean Kilbride sealed the game for the slick Terriers with a trademark long-range try.

Michael Pegg and Connor Richmond scored hat-tricks as Selby Warriors under-10s team got their first win of the season when hammering Rodley Rockets.

Other try-scorers were man of the match EJ Mills (2), most improved player Kendall Wain, with her first-ever try, Billy Millin, Liam Speight (2), top tackler Sam Parkin, Dean Spooner (2) and Josh Burton. Jacob Bate was coach's top player.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, November 02, 2004