RUGBY league stars of the past turned back the clock to produce an entertaining charity clash which should go a long way to making a little girl's dreams come true.

York Acorn Pastmasters took on York Groves Old Boys in an Over-35s game to raise money to help send seven-year-old multiple sclerosis sufferer Kelsie Copping to Disneyland.

And it proved an undoubted success as a bumper crowd turned out at Thanet Road to see the Blue and Golds beat Groves 48-18.

Acorn fielded a strong team which included former greats like Chris Franks, Dennis Byworth, Terry Winspear, Mark Gibson, Simon Cornish, Tony Sissons, Steve Olsen and Mick Colley.

Groves, formerly known as Punch Bowl, also fielded several well-known stars such as Paul Boyne, Barry Jenkins, Dave Wilberham, Simon Baynes, Darren Rhodes, Martin McQuade, Sam Enwright, Neil Martin and Martin Hodgson.

Acorn were 22-12 up after a closely fought first half which saw them claim tries through Colley, Byworth, Nicky Warters and Simon Cornish, plus three conversions from the ever-dangerous Franks who was involved in much of their best play.

Danny Barr and Baynes replied with tries for Groves, converted by McQuade.

But any thoughts of a Groves fightback were thwarted at the start of the second half when good approach play involving Acorn half-backs Mick Calam and man of the match Gordon Smith, who was playing his first game in nearly 12 years, ended with Sissons crashing over for an unconverted try.

Mick Lumby added a 50-metre touchdown and further tries by Rich Stewart, Franks and Calam, plus three more Franks conversions, wrapped up the win.

Groves had the final say when Martin Hodgson sent Baynes in for a late consolation try on the sixth tackle, goaled by McQuade.

Updated: 12:16 Tuesday, July 03, 2001