York Acorn ARLC's recent good run of home form came to an abrupt end when they were well beaten 22-6 at home to arch-rivals Heworth.

It was arguably Acorn's worst home showing of the season and one that will hurt for a long time, while Heworth now have bragging rights about who is York's top dog.

The Villagers have been struggling for much of the season but were first in all departments.

Heworth's main avenues of attack were the surging runs of stand-off Dan Briggs and the boot of scrum-half Carl Potter. But it was really in defence where they stole the major honours because they tackled well as a unit right across the park.

Acorn's attack lacked any real conviction and depth to test the visitors and far too often coughed up the ball early in the tackle count.

In defence, the Thanet Roaders were guilty of not working hard as a unit especially around the play-the-ball and if they don't improve they could find themselves getting drawn into the re-election zone.

Heworth took the lead on three minutes when Potter kicked a penalty.

Five minutes later Briggs put up an astute kick to the corner for centre Nathan Witty to superbly catch and score, with Potter goaling.

Heworth, having won only one of their previous ten Arriva Trains National Conference League division two games, went 10-0 up on the half-hour when Potter kicked another penalty.

Just before half-time, Acorn gave themselves some hope when their best player, Michael Embleton, crossed for an unconverted try and three minutes later Kevin Brundrett further reduced the deficit with a penalty.

However, there was still time for Potter to edge his troops into an 11-6 lead before the break with a drop goal.

Potter's boot proved influential again four minutes into the second half when he kicked another penalty and Acorn's hopes of rescuing the game nosedived when they were reduced to 12 men with the sin-binning of centre Embleton for dissent.

The Black and Whites took advantage to notch an unconverted try out wide through Witty.

Acorn were punished in the same corner on the hour mark when flying winger John Coulson showed great pace to go over.

Potter completed the scoring with a drop goal before leaving the field for the sin-bin after an altercation which saw Acorn's full-back Brundrett sent off.

Heworth, who also had two tries disallowed, will be looking to build on the victory which leaves them just four points adrift of their neighbours.

Villagers spokesman Ken Sykes said: "It was probably our best performance of the season. We were certainly up for it and everybody played well."

Updated: 09:45 Monday, November 10, 2003