York Acorn's hopes of finishing above Heworth received a potentially telling blow when they slipped to their heaviest defeat of the season at Crosfields.

The Blue and Golds were swamped by an emphatic 44-4 away loss at the hands of the promotion seeking Warrington outfit in National Conference League division two.

Crosfields were impressive but nevertheless it was sloppy tackling which gifted them many of their tries, and Acorn were a pale comparison to the outfit which pushed runaway league leaders Hunslet Warriors all the way last week.

The individual performances of centre Jon Hough, 18-year-old debutant Robbie Dolan, who came off the bench to impress, and Acorn's man of the match, full-back Kenny Embleton, deserved better rewards.

However, it wasn't to be as a Frazer Linekar try in only the second minute set the tone for the day.

Russ Parkman, Chris Ratcliffe, with two, loose-forward Peter Cannon, with a hat-trick, and Dave Gibbons all crossed the try-line for the hosts, with James Williams adding six goals.

Paul Dodsworth's try for Acorn just after the interval proved little more than temporary respite for the visitors, who not too long ago harboured their own promotion hopes.

On this viewing, however, Crosfields very much deserve their second place and are likely to go up alongside Hunslet Warriors.

Updated: 12:00 Monday, March 11, 2002