YORK Acorn 'A' amateur rugby league team extended their lead at the head of Yorkshire League Alliance division two with a 22-20 victory in a tense derby duel against New Earswick All Blacks 'A'.

The Blue and Golds started brightly against a strong New Earswick side and their direct approach brought them a 14-0 lead.

However, the visitors to Thanet Road rallied with some free-flowing rugby to reduce the arrears to 16-12 by half-time.

The introduction of substitute second row pairing Paul Stephenson and Carl Rollinson ensured Acorn did just enough to hang on to their lead.

Rollinson in particular enabled the hosts' pack to dominate the forward exchanges, while star stand-off Paul Smith was the catalyst for the majority of Acorn's attacking thrusts.

Smith, who scored a try and five goals while also topping the tackle count, was adjudged joint Acorn man-of-the-match with Rollinson.

Acorn's other points came from tries by winger Pete Carr and Paul Yoward.

West Bank's Yorkshire League division two fixture at Methley Monarchs was postponed, as was Heworth 'A's home game with Lock Lane 'A' in Alliance division one.

York University were beaten 36-18 by Hull University in a British Universities rugby league North division one match at Heslington.

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