New Earswick are through to the Silk Cut Challenge Cup third round for the first time after producing arguably the best display in the club's history.

The All Blacks, two places off the foot of the National Conference second division, defeated top of the table Thatto Heath 11-7 at White Rose Avenue.

It almost certainly guarantees New Earswick a tie against a Northern Ford Premiership club, with a derby clash against York Wasps a possibility when the draw is made on January 3.

The last time New Earswick played Thatto Heath in September, the St Helens side ran out 58-20 winners.

But the the magic of the cup served All Blacks well, despite playing much of the game with 12 men.

Simon Baynes was sent off after 12 minutes for striking an opponent after a fracas which also saw All Blacks' Jamie Daniel and Thatto's David Lloyd sin-binned.

The hero of the hour for All Blacks was Dave Carling who scored all their points and earned the Silk Cut man of the match award.

Three Carling penalties gave New Earswick a 6-0 half-time lead before Thatto Heath went close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

First a player was held up over the line by Nigel Wilson then they did get over the line only for the touch judge to rule the ball had been lost.

Chris Honey disputed that decision and was given his marching orders to level up the numbers.

It wasn't long before the scores were level too as winger Mike Woods went in for a try which Wayne Jackman converted brilliantly from the touchline.

The All Blacks looked set for an agonising defeat when the visitors' stand-off Darren Harris slotted over a drop goal ten minutes from time.

But Carling had other ideas and he levelled the scores with a magnificent drop goal from the wing with three minutes remaining.

Then with extra-time looming, the ball was again sent to Carling for another drop goal attempt. However, his path was blocked so instead he kicked ahead, the ball was spilled by a Thatto player, and Carling picked up the loose ball to go over for the match-winning try.

The All Blacks were applauded from the field after a superb team performance in which Carling, Daniel, player-coach Mick McTigue and Wilson were outstanding.

Heworth will play their second round tie against Featherstone Lions on Saturday after their match was postponed at the weekend.

York Groves strengthened their position at the top of Yorkshire League division five with a 22-0 home win over Ryhill.

The Terriers, unbeaten at Burdyke this season, opened the scoring after 10 minutes with loose forward Martin Simpson bursting through several defenders before releasing winger John Rushworth to score.

Scrum-half John Thompson added a penalty before Groves went in for another try before the interval. Simpson broke away and laid the ball off for Nigel Ridsdale to touch down between the sticks and leave Thompson an easy conversion.

After the break the visitors were camped on the Groves line for long periods but the Terriers defence held out superbly.

They were rewarded when Thompson got on the end of a high kick by Ridsdale to go over for a try and add the conversion himself.

Near the end, full back Lee Hartson had too much pace for the Ryhill defence and touched down in the corner to complete the scoring.