BLACK Swan beat rivals Royal Oak 4-1 in their pride of Pickering clash in RJF Homes Beckett League division one.

Oak are finding life tough at the top after running away with the second division championship last season.

They have now dropped more points from their opening two games than they did in the whole of the previous campaign.

Black Swan took the lead on five minutes, Simon Dale claiming the goal although Royal Oak's Richard Pugh might have got the decisive touch.

John Reed equalised to raise Oak hopes, but they were soon dashed when John Peel fired Black Swan back in front with a curling 30-yard free-kick.

Less than ten minutes before the break Swan doubled their advantage through Nick Woodhead.

The same player added his second and Black Swans fourth to complete the scoring five minutes into the second period.

Duncombe Park won 3-0 away to Old Malton in a game closer than the scoreline suggests.

Eddie Adamson and Jeremy Richardson gave Park a 2-0 lead in the first half. Ten minutes from time Paul Brackley ended his season-long goal drought with a Park's third.

Thornton-le-Dale, promoted at the end of last season, made it two points from their opening two games after sharing eight goals with Sinnington but will be disappointed at letting slip a 4-2 half-time lead

Goals from Mike Lealman (2), debutant Eve Ehima and Will Dunnett had fired Dale in front at the break.

A Stuart Wilkinson strike and an own-goal ensure the Sinners were still in with a chance and second-half goals from Joseph Turnbull and Gary Mitchell ensure the points were shared.

In the second division, all three matches ended in 1-1 draws.

A Danny Cass goal looked to be enough for Heslerton Reserves at Carlton United Carlton Chris Fairweather bagged a late leveller two minutes from time.

Bagby and Balk and Ryedale SC Reserves also drew 1-1, Tom Kendall giving Bagby a first-half lead but Dave Jenkins equalised with just five minutes remaining.

Ampleforth and Slingsby shared the spoils. Slingsby took the lead midway through the first-half but Dave Wallinger bagged a deserved equaliser for Ampleforth.

Updated: 12:44 Tuesday, September 23, 2003