Heworth RL's Under-14s gained an excellent 34-34 draw with Half Acre Trinity at Elmpark Way, despite fielding only 11 players.

They took control of the game as the pack dominated in the early stages with Sami Sefder and man of the match Phil Clark outstanding.

Lack of numbers took its toll near the end and when Half Acre went in front with five minutes to go it looked all over. But the Villagers showed their resolve and Jon Elsegood crossed for a try and Danny Elliott coolly slotted over his fifth goal to tie the scores.

Heworth's other tries came from Dave Gibson (3), Phil Clark and Adam Flint.

Fielding only 12 men Heworth Under-17s played out an exciting 18-all draw with Dudley Hill.

Heworth showed great character to match their table topping opponents with everyone giving total commitment to quell the visitors' attacking prowess.

Try scorers for Heworth were Danny Sinclair and Matt Corr with six goals from Gary Watkinson.

Heworth Under-11s started the year as they finished the last with a rousing 64-4 victory at Sherburn.

They were too strong in every department for their hosts with Steve Holler, Robert Rudge and man of the match Luke Wiseman in top form.

Tries came at regular intervals from Danny Allan (4), Imi Wallace (2), Zac Douglas (2), Gareth Watson, Ashley Snowball and Greg McCallum plus conversions by Watson (5), Allan (4) and Wallace.

Losing several players to the flu virus, Heworth Under-13s again lost out to bogey side Rodley Rockets by another narrow margin.

A storming second half display was just not enough to snatch a share of the spoils as they were beaten 18-14.

Sean Coulson, Marcus Allan and Ben Eastwood made some telling runs, while Matt Derry and Adam Snowball topped the tackle count with Steve Jepson involved in everything. Try scorers were Allan, Derry and Snowball with Paul Thompson adding a goal.

York Acorn under-18s gave a good account of themselves as they travelled to Dewsbury Moor for their cup tie with just 10 players.

Although beaten 24-0, all the players performed creditably in difficult circumstances with special mentions going to Dave Lonsdale, Craig Fox, Michael Embleton and Christian Foster.

There was defeat too for York Acorn Under-16s who bowed out of the Yorkshire Youth/West Riding Cup at the first hurdle.

They were beaten 32-0 away at premier league side Shaw Cross Sharks. In a below-par showing, Acorn's best performers were hooker Robbie Dolan, centre James Dean and second-rower Bobby Foster.

Acorn Under-15s returned to winning ways with an emphatic 42-12 home victory over Batley Boys.

An early try by Lee Havercroft set them on their way and by the break they had moved into a comfortable 26-0 lead. Following further tries by Peter Fox (2) and Leon Patterson, and three goals by Andy Henson, the excellent tackling by Tom Lyons, Patterson and man of the match Chris Spain saw them maintain their superiority after the break. This was cemented by further tries by Ben Laycock, Chris Spain and Matthew Irving. Henson then slotted two more goals over to bring his tally to five for the game.

A poor performance by York Acorn Under-12s saw them slip to a 30-10 defeat away at Featherstone.

Against physical opposition Acorn's try-scorers were Jordan Kennedy and Steven Mackley with Thomas Mackley adding the extras.

York Acorn Under-11s entertained Stanley Rangers in a friendly fixture and were unlucky to lose a closely fought contest 16-8.

Acorn began slowly and allowed Stanley to dominate the early proceedings when scoring two converted tries.

In the second half Acorn started to show more flair in attack, due mainly to the defence-splitting running of Joe Budd, Lee Botterill and Oliver Pitt.

Acorn opened their account when the ball was moved swiftly through several hands from one touchline to the other enabling Joe Budd to score wide out. They further reduced the deficit with an excellent individual try by Scott Maxwell.

Pitt was outstanding in defence and was just pipped to the man of the match award by joint winners Botterill and Maxwell.

Spirit helps York

York RU's A team showed their spirit at Clifton Park when they defied the odds to beat Hull 15-10. Due to traffic problems they were denied three players kick-off were forced to field a bare 15 players and due to the absentees made no fewer than eight positional changes.

York were prone to losing possession and hit problems when scrum-half Sam Arkle tried to throw out a long pass that was intercepted and Hull 65 yards and it needed a fine tackle from Lambo to deny the visitors.

However, from the resultant five metre scrum Hull grabbed the lead with Mike Childs powering over.

An error by York allowed Hull the chance to run and having created a good position centre Andy Barkworth increased their lead with a fine try.

Ten points adrift at half-time York went for their rivals throats in the second period and, having forced a five metre scrum, their pack power took them over the Hull try-line where Chip Beck dived on the ball.

Within three minutes the scores were level when a fine drive by Adie Martin ended with a penalty. Arkle's quick tap saw him catch Hull unawares and he went through for an excellent solo try.

York took the lead midway through the half when Lambo got the ball away from a tackle and Adam Smith raced over.

Colts bounce back

York RU Colts bounced back from a bad start to beat Keighley 17-7 at Clifton Park.

Keighley gained the lead with a try and conversion within five minutes of the kick-off, but York bounced back with Kris McDermott cutting inside to touchdown.

Having drawn level by half-time they powered into the lead after the break with prop Matthew Bell being instrumental in setting up a try for Adam Thomson and Bell was involved again as Ben Flint crossed for the try that ensured victory.

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