Heworth continued their fine end-of-season form with a 26-14 defeat of Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks in their penultimate National Conference League division two encounter.

The Villagers trailed 12-8 at half-time but turned it round superbly after the break in what was their fourth away match on the trot.

Hawks scored their only try of the match after just five minutes through second row Simon Lomas as Heworth lost possession. Jon Nicholls converted.

However, a good defensive display thereafter by the Villagers saw Hawks' only additional points come from Nicholls' boot.

After missing a couple of penalties, Carl Potter, who took over kicking duties in Dave Carling's absence, was successful on 15 minutes to make it 6-2, and Heworth nearly scored when half-back Brendan Carlyle, who became increasingly dominant, was held just short.

Nicholls made it 8-2 before a 50-metre break by man of the match Mark Green set up Steve Barnard to force his way over, with Potter's conversion levelling matters.

Two penalties made it 12-8 to Hawks at the break but, soon after, Barnard got his second try after Mick Harrison at loose-forward stole the ball.

Nicholls kicked his fifth and final goal to put Hawks ahead again but then Heworth, with John Coulson and Nathan Witty also impressing, took over.

Carl Potter's kick forward was gathered and touched down by Gavin Grant, Potter converting, and Grant then got his second try.

Potter added a drop goal then a penalty and Harrison ended the scoring with a last-minute 40-metre drop goal.

York Acorn ended their National Conference League division two home campaign with an 46-6 hammering of win-less Keighley Albion.

The visitors dominated the opening 20 minutes but were unable to finish off any openings.

Acorn's scrambling defence was also excellent and the Blue and Golds gradually began to get their attack into gear.

Powerhouse prop Paul Dodsworth stormed over from 20 yards after receiving a short pass from stand-off Johnny Waldron, full-back Jon Hough converting.

Second rower Dave Norman picked up a loose pass to race 40 yards, Hough converting, then substitute forward Nicky Caldwell went over out wide and, soon after, accepted a neat Waldron pass to storm through. Hough's conversion made it 22-0.

Keighley's Russell Meakin, crashed over, Andy Bowness goaling, but normal service resumed when Waldron created a run-around with Kenny Embleton before curving in score.

Caldwell stormed over for his hat-trick, winger Gary Isles squeezed in at the corner, and Stephen Waldron romped down the right to put brother Johnny in for his second try of the game and 17th of the season, Hough converting.

Stephen Waldron evaded several tacklers to nip over, Hough converting.

Top performers for Acorn were Hough, teenage hooker Robbie Dolan, loose-forward Lee Frank and Caldwell.

Updated: 11:55 Monday, March 25, 2002