York Acorn began their preparations for the forthcoming National Conference League division two campaign with a worthwhile workout against an England Students representative side, which ended in a creditable 32-32 draw.

Fielding a makeshift side made up of first and second team players, Acorn were well served by forwards Mark Hebblethwaite, Lee Frank, Paul Dodsworth and Lee Brundett and backs John Hough, Johnny and Stephen Waldron and Paul Sawyer.

Acorn stormed into a 14-0 lead with tries by Hebblethwaite, Johnny Waldron and Carl Rollinson.

England Students, coached by Richard Agar and Simon Tuffs, responded with an unconverted try of their own before Acorn stand-off Stephen Waldron went over from acting half and Hough added the extras to make it 20-4 at half-time.

Within 15 minutes of the restart the students had turned this game on its head when scoring three tries and a goal to cut the deficit to 20-18.

Acorn then hit a purple patch of their own go 28-18 ahead.

Winger Paul Sawyer intercepted a wayward pass to race 80 metres and Stephen Waldron pounced after dislodging the ball from a Students' player with a crunching tackle behind the England line.

The Students and Acorn rivals exchanged another couple of tries, Lee Brundett scoring for the Blue and Golds, but England rallied with two late tries to level the scores.

York Acorn Under-8s continued their recent rich vein of form to beat East Leeds away by nine tries to five.

With joint man of the match Gareth Smith showing up well in attack and fellow man of the match Jacob Bustfield, Joel Johnson and Ryan Gallacher giving stout displays in defence, Acorn were always in control.

They scored tries through Sam Orange (4), Ben Cowton (2), Johnson (2) and Gallacher.

Updated: 12:58 Tuesday, June 26, 2001