SCRUM-HALF Jon Waldron kept York Acorn in the National Conference division two promotion hunt with a superb hat-trick in his side's 30-14 victory over Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks.

Waldron, who is just 18-years-old, raced over for Acorn's opening two tries to set them on their way.

Nick Caldwell extended the York advantage with try number three after good work by Waldron, whose brother Steve had no problem slotting over the extras.

Hooker Lee Franks was next to cross, with Steve Waldron's conversion making it 20-0 at the break.

Steve Waldron quickly added to this total after half-time with a penalty, but this only spurred a mini-revival from the visitors.

Nick White and then Phil Hough crossed the Acorn whitewash, while Ben Thornton goaled one conversion to set the nerves jangling.

But Acorn regrouped well and when winger Tim Wilcock squeezed over in the corner it halted the Hillsborough fight-back in its tracks.

Jon Waldron added to their misery with his hat-trick try, although Brian Moore did score a late consolation effort for Hawks.

The victory sees Acorn remain tied in second spot with Crossfields and Milford Marlins - six points behind leaders Hunslet Warriors.

Heworth's own promotion dreams are in tatters following the 26-18 away defeat to Castleford Panthers.

Things started off badly for Heworth as they found themselves 14-0 down after 14 minutes as Peter Sheldrake, Jamie Benn and Craig Benn all touched down, while Sean Wales added a conversion.

Heworth kept plugging away though, and were rewarded with two well-executed tries from Nathan Witty.

Two Dave Carling conversions saw Heworth back in the game at 14-12 only for Mark Lorriman to dive over and Wales to convert to extend Panthers lead to eight points at the break.

And the home side stretched their lead after half-time with a further Wales penalty and a try from Andrew Smith.

Heworth gave everything as they tried to pull level - Carling converting his own try, but it was too little too late as the Panthers held on.

Three players were sent-off as New Earswick All Blacks bowed out the CMS Yorkshire League Senior Cup to Pudsey 38-8.

Pudsey, who are flying high in the premier division, had two players red-carded, but they were still too strong for the All Blacks - who saw Jamie Daniels receive his marching orders.

The early exchanges were evenly matched with two converted tries from Pudsey sandwiching a Carl Pallister try.

Pallister also slotted a penalty before the first Pudsey player was dismissed.

A further Pallister penalty brought the senior division outfit to within four points at 12-8, only for Pudsey, who are coached by Bradford Bulls full-back Michael Withers, to rack up a try and two goals.

The turning point for the All Blacks then came when Daniels fell foul of the referee following a flair-up.

The gulf in class began to show with Pudsey crossing for three further tries in the final quarter - despite seeing a second player given his marching orders.

Updated: 09:26 Monday, November 26, 2001