YORK Acorn ARL Club produced a disciplined team performance to post a 24-16 triumph over Rochdale Mayfield, who were second in National Conference Division Two.

Defences dominated the first quarter and the first points didn't come until the 20th minute when centre Michael Embleton crossed for Acorn.

Kevin Brundrett made it 8-0 with two penalties and the home supporters were cheering again on 55 minutes when Andy Lee crossed for a try goaled by Brundrett.

However, Rochdale hit back with a try but just after an hour scored twice in five minutes to take the spoils.

A clever kick by Craig Fox was hacked on by substitute Paul Payne which was followed by by fellow sub Paul Day, who marked his first outing of the season by pouncing on the ball for a fine unconverted try.

Then, a rampaging run by Paul Dodsworth enabled Lee to crash over, Brundrett's successful kick making it 24-4 to Acorn.

The visitors recovered in the final stages with a couple of converted tries from Karl Platt and Neil Ramsden, but that could not detract from a fine Acorn performance.

Hooker Fran Starkey was Acorn's man of the match, while Lee showed real quality as he grabbed a brace of tries and forwards Adam Endersby and Nicky Caldwell also caught the eye.

Heworth, however, remain dangerously close to the bottom of the division two table after their 56-23 defeat at Ince Rosebridge.

There was little hint of what was to come as the Villagers turned on the style to lead 22-12 at the interval after tries by Nathan Witty, Nikki Wilson, Wayne Foster and Lee Clarke, three of the touchdowns being improved by goalkicker Carl Potter. Rosebridge had been restricted to tries by Lee Jukes and Damien Cleary.

When the impressive Potter added a field goal soon after half-time, Heworth were firmly in control, but the Wigan-based outfit stormed back with unanswered tries fromCleary (2), Lee Jones (2) Carl Roden, Wes Else and Jukes, who finished with eight goals.

Heworth will need to show better defensive qualities when they tackle Eastmoor Dragons, who are immediately above them in the Division Two table, when they meet at Elm Park Way on Saturday.

Updated: 10:05 Monday, October 27, 2003