A fine first-half showing saw Heworth kick off their National Conference League division two campaign with a good victory at Normanton Knights.

The Villagers deserved their 20-12 interval lead but needed the hosts to blow a few chances in the second half to run out 20-16 winners.

However, it was still an excellent start for Harold Box's men against a side who have a strong home record.

Heworth had the early pressure and after full-back Dave Carling missed two penalties Jason Gatus went over only to be held on his back without grounding the ball.

However, they took the lead on 14 minutes when a good pass by centre Nikki Wilson put Brendan Carlyle in, Carling converting.

Two minutes later, good work by Mark Green and a fine run by Sam Clarke led to Wilson going over to make it 10-0.

John Coulson soon touched down to make it 14-0 and complete a productive period for the visitors.

A poor tackle let in Peter Seal under the posts for the Knights to make it 14-6 with Sean Hill's conversion and on 37 minutes scrum-half Andy McGowan went over to narrow the deficit further, Hill again kicking the extras.

Just before the break, though, Wilson got his second try after a fine run by Carling, going over under the posts to hand Carling an easy conversion.

Normanton were the better side after the interval but missed chances, along with good tackling especially by the forwards, most notably prop Gatus and loose forward Green, restricted them to just one more try.

It came with five minutes left when, with Heworth on a rare forage, Steve Barnard's pass was intercepted by Steve Ashurst who ran home.

Carling pushed him wide, though, meaning the conversion attempt was difficult and unsuccessful.

Updated: 11:37 Monday, August 27, 2001