AN impresive second-half display from hosts Batley Boys condemned New Earswick All Blacks Rugby League Club to a 22-12 defeat.

All Blacks remain fourth in the CMS Yorkshire League senior division table, but the result saw the Batley side close the gap between them to two points with two games in hand.

The scores were level at 12-12 going into the last half-hour but Batley coped better with the deteriorating conditions, and All Blacks were made to pay for spilling more balls.

Penalties were traded to make it 4-4 by the time Batley scored their first converted try on the half-hour mark. All Blacks equalised as Alan Pallister passed inside for cousin Carl Pallister to crash over under the sticks, with Dave Carling adding his third goal.

A penalty on the stroke of half-time put the hosts ahead again but Carling replied after the break before Batley won it with two more tries, plus one conversion.

Prop Jamie Daniel was New Earswick's man of the match, with the two Pallisters also excelling.

Batley's tries came from Darren Butler, Darren Hinchcliffe and Danny Dunford with Gareth Wilson kicking five goals.

Updated: 10:47 Tuesday, February 03, 2004