Heworth 3, Walney Central 6

The 39th minute sin-binning of front row forward Chris Plowman proved decisive in a tense and tight National Conference premier division clash at Elm Park Way.

While the influential prop was off the field, Walney used their advantage to score the only try of the match, second row forward Alan Kendall storming in after 45 minutes.

The Villagers were ahead 3-2 when Plowman received his yellow card, a Carl Potter penalty in the 12th minute and a drop goal on 21 minutes just shading a Paul McMillan penalty for the visitors.

With Richard Darling always a threat from fullback, and the in-form Jason Gatus and Plowman the pick of the forwards, Heworth looked well set for their first win in four games.

But then Plowman was put in the bin for a cooling off period after showing dissent to Huddersfield referee Phil Barsby.

That gave Walney the boost they needed and man of the match Mark Clay, who ran the game at stand off, created a gap to send Kendall in for his try.

Heworth again made things difficult for themselves when winger Andy Mercer was sent to the sin bin midway through the second half for holding down.

And with brothers Dave and Alan Kendall always in the thick of the defensive effort, Walney withstood all attempts from Heworth to break them down.

The York side, struggling to find their attacking form in recent weeks, now find themselves fourth from bottom of the premier division and will next week look to complete the double over Egremont Rangers to move away from the relegation zone.

Skirlaugh Bulls still lead the premier division after their 40-10 victory over Egremont, two points clear of Oldham St Annes who kept up their challenge with a 22-8 win at struggling Wigan St Patricks.

Beverley East Hull remain rooted to the bottom of the table and are still without a point all season following a 50-4 hammering at home to local rivals West Hull who are in third place.

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