NEW Earswick All Blacks got back to winning ways in fine style as a seven-try show brought victory over Dodworth.

All Blacks had lost their last game of 2005 to unbeaten Pennine League division one leaders Halifax Irish but bounced back in the first game of 2006 with a 40-4 win over the mid-table visitors, a result which lifted them up to second place on points-difference with games in hand on their rivals.

Impressive stand-off Liam Gargan gave them an eighth-minute lead when he pounced on a loose ball, which had appeared to be reefed from Jamie Rhodes' grasp as he looked certain to score.

Dodworth pressed for a reply but superb defence kept them out before All Blacks stretched their lead, with man of the match Tom Hodgson leading the way.

The York side had asked for an inspirational performance from the young hooker and got one as he firstly sent Chris Judge clear for the loose-forward to supply the scoring pass to Gargan, and then spotted a gap on the inside to put in-form full-back Steve Perks to the line with a superb pass.

Scrum-half Ben Jones converted both tries for a 16-0 interval lead, which was stretched soon after the restart when Judge forced his way over.

Dodworth hit back with a try but the game was effectively over when Jones intercepted on half-way and out-sprinted the defence, while substitute prop Alan Pallister and Rhodes also crossed to complete the try-scoring and Jones ended with four more conversions.

York Groves' promotion hopes in division five suffered a big blow as they fell 16-10 in a close-fought match at home to leaders Whitehall Warriors.

Player-coach Simon Moat had stressed victory was vital to reignite their chances but a controversial late try by the visitors kept the Terriers down in mid-table now needing a massive turnaround to catch the top two.

Whitehall had forged a 12-0 lead at the interval but Groves fought back with tries for second-row Chris Nuttall and scrum-half Dean Kilbride and a goal by Jason Dunn, only for the referee to award a killer try for the Warriors despite question marks over the grounding.

Selby Warriors as expected sustained their promotion push in division four by thumping winless bottom club Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 50-14, while York Acorn 'A' moved away from the relegation zone in division three with a 30-10 defeat of Underbank Rangers.

Updated: 09:33 Tuesday, January 10, 2006