Heworth battled back from ten points down in the first half to claim another crucial two points in their promotion battle in National Conference League division two.

Both the hosts and Huddersfield Syngenta Sharks scored four tries in this thriller at Elm Park Way but the difference was the boot of stand-off Carl Potter, who kicked six goals from seven attempts - the other hitting an upright - to see the Villagers to a 28-20 victory.

His 77th-minute try, plus conversion, also proved conclusive as the Villagers finally killed off a side who remain in the bottom half of the table.

The victory lifted Heworth to second in the table two points behind Milford Marlins, who beat York Acorn, and one point above Wath Brow, whose match at Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks was called off due to an unfit pitch.

Wath Brow remain title favourites as they have four games in hand but, having already agreed to play two games in two days early next month, they may yet suffer from their backlog of fixtures.

Syngenta went ahead against Heworth and led 16-14 at the break through tries by centre Lee Mason, scrum-half Adam Peel and Abraham Phillips plus two Dave Holmes conversions.

Sam Clarke and Kenny Embleton had replied with touchdowns for Heworth while Potter kept them in touch with three goals, including one on the stroke of half-time from inside his own half.

Potter kicked Heworth level after the break only for loose-forward Martin Cox to put Syngenta back in front from Andy Branch's burst.

But the hosts then dug deep, with Simon Harrison, Brendan Carlyle, Potter and substitute Mark Green to the fore.

The latter's contribution proved crucial as he firstly put Embleton in for his second try on the hour - Potter goaling from the touchline against a strong wind to put Heworth ahead for the first time - and then broke to set up Potter for that final score.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes said: "We did not play particularly well in the first half but we had to get it together in the second and we did so.

"Syngenta looked a pretty useful side and it won't be easy when we play them away in three weeks."

York Acorn's run of defeats continued as they lost 20-0 at promotion seeking Milford.

Acorn, despite the scoreline, gave a much improved display and can go into next week's home game with Cottingham Tigers filled with more confidence, enthusiasm and belief.

This week they played with plenty of spirit, character and determination, especially in defence to give an impressive Milford outfit a hard work-out.

Again the lack of an experienced playmaker meant they were unable to create enough quality in attack to penetrate a well organised home defence, but on the plus side, Acorn continued their policy of giving youth its chance and two of their under-18s starlets gave eye-catching displays.

Hooker Robbie Dolan produced a competent all action show, while prop Tom Lyons more than held his own against more experienced forwards.

On a glue-pot of a pitch, Milford began strongly and after three minutes took the lead when winger Andy Moran scored in the corner.

Any thoughts that Acorn might capitulate were ended by an impressive 30-minute tackling stint.

Acorn looked set to go in at the break just 4-0 down but a moment's lapse saw them concede a sloppy try when they allowed prop Danny Ware to brush through some weak tackling. Fellow prop David Bray added the extras.

In the second half, Milford centre Chris Smith raced in to put the hosts 14-0 up but again Acorn didn't buckle. Nevertheless, as befits a team struggling to turn possession into points, a moment of hesitancy in the defence saw Milford capitalise to send centre Smith racing over for his second try, goaled by Bray.

Updated: 11:10 Monday, March 10, 2003