FIVE players were sent off and three sin-binned as York Acorn battled to maintain their unbeaten start to the National Conference League division two campaign.

Playing on Keighley Cougars' ground, Acorn beat struggling Keighley Albion 26-16 and although it was not one of their best performances of the season it was still a resiliant display by a young side.

The game probably did not warrant all those red and yellow cards but nevertheless the result keeps Acorn on top of the table.

Acorn second rower Carl Rollin-son, for his involvement in a minor melee, and stand-off Darren Callag-han, for retaliation, got red carded late on, while scrum-half Danny Liddell and prop Martin McTigue had to cool their heels in the sin-bin.

For Keighley, scrum-half Daniel Horne, hooker and their player of the match John Gwilliam and centre Rob Haughey were all given their marching orders.

As for the action, Acorn were slow out of their blocks and this allowed Gwilliam to create a try for Horne following a chip and re-gather.

Keighley centre Kris Kirk added the extras.

Acorn bounced back on nine minutes when his incisive run on the fifth tackle created the opening from which stand-off Darren Callaghan was able to go in for his tenth try of the season.

Winger Kevin Brundett converted.

Keighley regained their lead on 18 minutes when impressive second rower Sam Broadley charged over for a good unconverted try.

The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued on 23 minutes when a Callaghan pass saw ever-improving centre Stephen Irving cut through on the angle and race in from 35 yards out.

Brundett kicked the extras to give Acorn a 12-10 half-time lead.

Early in the second half good approach play by prop Paul Dodsworth and Callaghan ended with the latter going in for try number 11 and again Brundett goaled it to put Acorn into an 18-10 lead.

Brundett pushed Acorn further in front with a penalty before Keighley set up a frantic final 15 minutes when Broadley went in for his second try of the game goaled by Kirk.

As chaos and confusion reigned Acorn secured the win with a try by full-back Michael Embleton, Brundett converting.

Although beaten 26-13 by Hoyland in their Pennine League division four match, York Groves came out of the clash with credit.

The Barnsley outfit had Groves reeling with three tries in the first 15 minutes, but after this initial onslaught, Groves tightened up and pressed the Hoyland line, scrum-half John Thompson kicking a drop goal.

After further pressure, Ian Rankeillor scored a fine try to make it 12-5 at half-time.

After the break, Groves again took a while to get into their stride as Hoyland twice went over, but they battled back and were rewarded with a second Rankeillor try.

Chris Smith then powered over to narrow the gap and Groves were well on top. However, Hoyland added a breakaway try against the run of play to finish the scoring.

Updated: 11:47 Monday, September 24, 2001