YORK Acorn ARL Club are to appeal against part of their punishment laid down by the National Conference League following their two abandoned matches.

The Blue and Golds had two consecutive games last month cut short in the second half, the first away to Castleford Lock Lane and the second at home to Hunslet Warriors.

And as a result they have now been fined a total of £300 and ordered to replay both matches by the league's disciplinary committee.

Acorn were winning 18-8 at Lock Lane when the referee halted this game after 67 minutes following two brawls. They were fined the minimum £100 for each brawl and the minimum £100 for the abandonment (a total of £300), which they are not contesting.

However, they are appealing against the decision to replay the game on the grounds that league rules state results stand if matches go beyond 65 minutes. Acorn had been provisionally awarded the two points but without them now fall one place to sixth in the division one table, albeit with games in hand.

They were also beating Hunslet Warriors 12-8, with two Warriors players in the sin-bin, when the referee called a premature halt to this Thanet Road clash due to alleged abuse from the sidelines, believed to be from the visiting contingent.

There were about 20 minutes left in this game so Acorn are begrudgingly accepting they must replay it from scratch, even though they lose their obvious advantage. The league have handed down no further punishment to either club in this instance, which inevitably brings into question the referee's decision to abandon the match.

Acorn chairman Kev Warters said the club would accept the fines but that they felt it was unfair the team should have to face two replays.

"We are especially disappointed with the Lock Lane outcome as we were on the understanding that result would stand, and we will appeal against that ruling," he said.

No date for the appeal has yet been set.

Updated: 10:09 Saturday, November 19, 2005