Acorn's relief

YORK Acorn finally gave their long suffering fans something to cheer about with a brilliant 30-4 home win over high-flying Crosfields in the National Conference second division.

Inspired by a breathtaking hat-trick of tries by their captain and loose forward, Darren Callaghan, Acorn tore into their opponents straight from the start.

A fine seven-man passing move ended with Callaghan racing 30 yards to score his first try.

Callaghan added the extras before in-form centre Gareth Lloyd stormed over for a try after being put into the gap by an excellent Stephen Waldron pass.

Lloyd's try was scored out wide but this didn't deter the golden boot of Darren Callaghan who put over an excellent touchline conversion. By half-time Acorn had increased their lead to 18-0 following a second Darren Callaghan try created by a neat inside ball from Alan Hebblethwaite.

Callaghan once again added the conversion. His boot made the first scoring impact of the second half when he put over a penalty goal. Callaghan again continued to dominate the game's proceedings when he waltzed over unopposed from the acting half role for his hat-trick score to which he added his fifth and final goal of the game.

Crosfield gained a consolation score when their player/coach and former Great Britain forward Bob Eccles went over for a try.

Acorn had the final word though, when Darren Callaghan picked up a loose ball before giving a try-scoring pass to Acorn substitute Dean Kilbride - just as he was about to be bundled into touch.

Kilbride finished in style to give Acorn a handsome 30-point haul and a much needed two league points.

Stars for Acorn were Callaghan, well supported by Andy Dudman, Carl Rollinson, Lloyd and Kilbride.

HAMMERTON'S RETURN CAN'T STOP VILLAGER'S SLIDE TOWARDS BOTTOM

By Dianne Hillaby

CHRIS Hammerton's return to the Heworth side couldn't quite inspire theNational Conference premier division strugglers to victory as they were beaten 20-18 by Castleford Lock Lane in a tight game at Elmpark Way.

The scrum half had been out of action for two months after tearing shoulder ligaments and his absence had seen the Villagers slip to third from bottom of the table.

But this was a much improved performance by Heworth who will take heart for next week's clash with fellow relegation rivals Leigh Miners Rangers.

It was still anybody's game at half-time as Heworth trailed by just four points, but the dismissal of loose forward Mark Green midway through the second half proved costly.

Heworth made the perfect start when Andy Gabel was held up over the line inthe first minute and from the resulting scrum, impressive second rower JasonGatus' inside pass sent Green over the line. Carl Potter added the conversion.

But the visitors came straight back and levelled the scores on eight minutes.

Lee Riding took a pass from prop Peter Steels to go in for a try which stand off Andy Corbett converted.

Heworth paid for a spell of indiscipline midway through the half as Lock Lane slotted over two penalties to make it 10-6 at the interval.

They extended their lead after 54 minutes, Steels breaking the cover to send winger Jason Walsh in at the corner, Corbett adding the two points.

Substitute Anthony Howcroft thought he had narrowed the gap when he toucheddown after a quick tap but it was disallowed by the referee.

Green then got his marching orders after 65 minutes for a high tackle butHeworth showed spirit to get back into the game three minutes later.

Outstanding prop Mark Cregan, stepping up from the second team, linked well to send Danny Wright in for a try which Hammerton converted to make the score 16-12.

But Castleford put paid to any hopes of a Heworth come back when Walsh scored his second in the corner.

Heworth fought to the end though, and Hammerton had the final say when he touched down under the posts in the last minute. A good kick by Nathan Witty was scrambled over the dead ball line by the Castleford defence and from the kick off Heworth drove to the line to set up Hammerton, Gatus tagging on the extras.

It was too late to salvage anything from the game, but as least Heworth finally re-discovered the try scoring touch after failing to score in four of their last five games.

ALL BLACKS SUFFER IN CAPITAL

LONDON Skolars proved too strong for New Earswick All Blacks for the second time this season as the York side were beaten 22-8 in the capital.

The All Blacks were looking for revenge after their 18-12 defeat at the hands of the Skolars at White Rose Avenue earlier in the campaign.

But the long journey to London took its toll and they found themselves 12-0 down after the first 10 minutes of this National Conference second division fixture.

Despite the indifferent start, the All Blacks settled into the game with a Carl Pallister penalty to show for their efforts.

Though 16-2 down at half-time, New Earswick began to stretch the London defence with half back Ady Robinson and captain Mick Storey both causing themproblems.

The All Blacks efforts were rewarded when fullback Julian Ramsey collected a cross-field kick to make the score 16-8 after a Pallister conversion.

However a late try by the home side effectively put the game out of reach for the All Blacks who must now pick themselves up for their Challenge Cup firstround clash at home to Castleford-based Yorkshire League side Townville nextweek.

HAMMERED GROVES GRIEF

YORK GROVES put up a poor display as they went down 26-8 to Wakefield-based Ryhill Hammers in their Yorkshire league Division Three battle at Burdyke.

Groves only showed patches of their true form against a visiting side who tackled well to keep the Terriers at bay.

The York side came close several times with some astute tactical kicking by player-coach Alan Mitchell and the pace of Adie Beales and John Rushworth on the flanks.

Beales scored Groves' onmly try with Jocky Walker kicking three goals.

Poor defence and mistakes cost the Terriers dear.

TOP FLIGHT TUSSLE

NEW Zealand's touring Royal Air Force rugby league side out up a good show at Linton-On-Ouse to beat a Yorkshire RAF side 38-14.

The Yorkshire side, made up mostly of players from RAF Leeming and bolstered by a handful of rugby union players, had only been together for a month and put up a spirited fight.

The New Zealanders are playing matches against service sides in various parts of the country.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.