New Earswick All Blacks will consider making an official complaint to the CMS Yorkshire League following their controversial 32-28 Senior Cup defeat at arch-rivals Hunslet Old Boys.

The game was marred by a second half brawl which saw the Hunslet scrum-half, who was in the sin-bin for dissent, run on to the pitch and get involved.

The Hunslet coach was also on the pitch and it is thought one other person from the Old Boys camp, possibly a spectator, got involved in the altercation.

The referee said after the game he would be taking the matter no further but the All Blacks' committee are likely to discuss it at a meeting this week.

"It could be classed as a major concern if people run on to the pitch, and the committee will decide whether it is worth making an official complaint against Hunslet Old Boys," said All Blacks chairman Charles Rollinson.

Games between these sides always prove close - and most are hard-fought - and this was no exception, but the brawl was a major turning point which prompted a Hunslet fightback.

All Blacks had led 22-6 at one point and were still 22-10 ahead and looking in control at the time of the 55th-minute melee. But, although the Hunslet scrum-half received his marching orders for his part in the incident, it all seemed to unsettle the York side.

New Earswick's former York Wasps' hooker, Alan Pallister, was sin-binned soon after for dissent after becoming frustrated with the referee and in the ten minutes he was off the field Hunslet scored three tries to turn the cup encounter on its head.

Hunslet had scored the first points of the day with a converted try but All Blacks then got on top.

Mick Harrison's 50-metre interception run led to Jez Petch sending winger Phil Turpin over, Pallister went over under the sticks from acting-half, and after Pallister had stolen the ball one-on-one it was moved across the field for Turpin to score again.

Sanderson converted all three tries to add to two penalties for a 22-6 lead, reduced to 22-10 at half-time by a home try.

Hunslet crossed again five minutes after the ball to reduce the gap to eight points and their three converted tries in Pallister's absence put them ten points up.

Pallister returned to score the final try after being put through by Petch, Sanderson, goaling, but their search for a winner was in vain.

Man of the match was Jo Jo Hnesh followed by Mark Boitoit and Pallister.

Updated: 08:57 Tuesday, November 04, 2003