NEW Earswick All Blacks and York Groves both bowed out of the GMB Union National Cup in the second round.

All Blacks fell 38-14 at North West Counties League high-fliers Haydock, but can be proud of the way they played in the second half against a St Helens-based side who reached the Lancashire Cup last year.

Haydock, playing some fantastic rugby, raced into a 28-0 lead by the 22nd minute with five tries and four conversions before All Blacks got their game together to put points on the board as hooker Ben Jones went over from acting-half, James Sanderson converting.

Haydock crossed again before half-time to make it 34-6, but All Blacks, with props Jo Jo Hnesh and Mark Boitoit to the fore, were the better side for much of the second period and outscored their hosts in this half.

Trevor Sadler passed out to man of the match Steve Perks, who sent winger Phil Turpin flying into the corner on the hour mark and, although Haydock scored again, All Blacks had the final say as new signing Jim Mulroney forced his was past four would-be tacklers to score from 30 yards. Jones hit a post with the conversion attempt.

All Blacks chairman Charles Rollinson said: "We were still on the bus for the first 20 minutes but, credit to Haydock, they were a really good side and played some breathtaking rugby.

"It was to our credit that we didn't let our heads go down and we did well to win the second half. We played some great rugby in that half and the players tackled their hearts out."

Groves, meanwhile, lost 32-13 to well-drilled Workington-based team Great Clifton.

A mix-up between winger Mark Pitchford and full-back Paul Watson when trying to deal with a high kick saw Clifton score.

Watson was otherwise faultless for the rest of the game but could not stop the visitors crossing twice more in the first half. Two conversions made it 16-0.

In the second half, hard-working prop Chris Smith scored after good work from man of the match Andy Starkey, Jason Dunn goaling. But any chance of a fightback was dispelled as Clifton crossed.

Groves, for whom notable displays came from player-coach Simon Moat, John Rushworth and Danny Buy, were back on the scoresheet when awarded a penalty try, which Dunn converted, but Clifton scored another two converted tries.

Updated: 08:55 Tuesday, February 24, 2004