AN impressive display saw York Acorn ARL under-14s beat Heworth under-14s 34-28, despite having only 12 players.

Acorn raced into an early lead which was to prove crucial.

They tired later on against a battling Heworth fightback, which saw the Villagers close the gap from 30-12 to 30-28 before a late Acorn try sealed the win.

Acorn hat-tricks came from man of the match Steve Harper and Matthew Grey, while Joe Budd also crossed. Lee Spain kicked two goals and Lee Botterill one for the victors.

Heworth's tries were scored by Gareth Watson (2), man of the match Steve Huller, Chris Peace and Callum Sullivan, while Ben Potter (3) and Peace converted.

Heworth under-16s came from behind to beat Featherstone Lions 14-4.

The Lions crossed in the corner for a deserved lead but this galvanised the hosts, who took the initiative through Ashley Bodden, Andy Hall and Liam Watling before Sean Coulson's kick and rush plus conversion made it 6-4.

The Lions pressed early in the second half but Heworth got their game together to score through a Coulson penalty and then conversion after a Liam Stagnell try.

Tom Brolly excelled as York Acorn under-16s beat Newsome Panthers 30-24.

Strong tackling also by Simon Wadsworth and Danny Holder laid the foundations for the win, while Kyle Goddard and Wadsworth also did well in attack. Try scorers were Tom Dunmore, who also kicked five goals, Wadsworth, Nicky Hartley, Danny Rooke and Holder.

New Earswick All Blacks under-15s should have won more easily but ended up digging deep to hold on to a 23-20 victory over Doncaster Toll Bar.

All Blacks missed a good chance before Doncaster crossed twice, but levelled through Danny Allan's try, conversion and penalty, and they started the second half well as Ross Divorty and Paul Thompson scored, with Allan adding a conversion and drop goal.

Man of the match Paul Thompson touched down for a crucial late try in between two Doncaster scores.

York Acorn under-13s fell behind early on but then took control as they won 34-4 at Leeds-based Middleton, the game being stopped early as the referee suffered double vision.

Tom Harrison and Adam Jones notched an excellent brace apiece, while other tries came from Matthew Fairclough after a fine run and David Leeke, who kicked ahead and raced 80 yards to pick up and score. Goals came from Dominic Nelson (3) and Ross Varley (2).

New Earswick All Blacks under-13s' good start to the season continued with a 46-12 win over Whinmoor.

Elliott Bridges notched four tries, Alex Redhead two long-range efforts and Jamie Norris powered over, while good work from man of the match Shaun Mcarther and Joe Davis set up tries for Jack Sinclair and Dan Atkinson. Josh Cockrill kicked four conversions and Redhead one.

Crisp handling and fine support play helped York Acorn under-11s hammer Fryston 50-10.

Ben Johnston had his best game of the season and scored five tries, one being a spectacular solo effort, while Anthony Chilton got a hat-trick and the much-improved Liam Wilkinson rounded off the try-scoring. Goals came from Johnston, Wilkinson, Hyde, Mortimer, Dickson, Garside and Clark.

York Acorn under-10s gave their best display of the season, especially in defence, away to Whinmoor.

The hosts scored just one try while Acorn's strong running brought scores for Joel Johnson (2), man of the match Jamie Stuart and Sam Orange (3), while Hannigan, Orange and Hardwick kicked goals.

Liam Davison was man of the match as New Earswick All Blacks under-9s won a competitive game at Dewsbury Celtic.

David Bellwood topped the tackle count and Nico Cipriano was the most improved player. Try scorers were Jamie Moran, Liam Davison, Adam Speck, Cipriano, David Bellwood (3) and Sean Malarkey, while goals came from Moran, Davison, Bellwood, Malarkey and Charlie Lancaster.

Try-scoring machine Ryan Gallacher started the new season with five touchdowns as York Acorn under-9s played Churwell.

Danny Atkins scored a hat-trick, while new players Timothy Winn, Jack Appleby and Robert Leatham all did well. Top tackler was Karl Riad in a good team display.

Heworth under-8s gave another improved display despite losing to Stanningley.

Jack Cregan and Peter Moss were prominent, while James Kilmartin, with three tries, was man of the match and Peter Clark and George Churchill also scored.

Updated: 11:06 Wednesday, October 16, 2002