AN outstanding team performance by Heworth 'A' sent them through to the third round of the Yorkshire League's Alliance Cup with a 38-4 defeat of Upton 'A'.

The West Yorkshire side came to York as division three leaders with only two defeats to their name, and opened brightly with a try, but that proved their only score as Heworth, four places below them in the table, took full control.

Carl Potter, playing in the front row, put veteran Brendan Carlyle over in the corner to equalise, Jamie Wright raced 50 metres home and youngster Andy Gaskell showed his skill to add a third try, Potter goaling one for a 14-4 half-time lead.

The Villagers turned on the style after the break with Kevin Gott, Paul Gill and Dave Varley leading from the front. Further tries came from dominant half-backs Gareth Kirby (2) and Joe Murphy, who constantly opened up the defence, and teenager Sean Bailey (2), with Gary Watkinson adding two more goals.

New Earswick All Blacks fortified their place in the Pennine League division one promotion zone with a hard-earned 26-8 defeat of Thornhill 'A'.

The Trojans visited York with relegation fears but gave a spirited display which was only properly overcome by a strong second-half performance by the All Blacks.

Thornhill went ahead with a penalty and determined defence had All Blacks struggling to break them down until the half-hour mark when Tom Hodgson passed to Alan Pallister, who sent Jamie Rhodes crashing in at the corner.

A 50-yard interception try and conversion by Carl Pallister, breaking three tackles as he went, upped the lead to 10-2 at half-time, which increased further as some fine flowing rugby ended with young hooker Hodgson going over under the sticks for his first senior try for the club.

Hodgson then sent Chris Judge over and, even though Thornhill responded with a converted try to give themselves hope, New Earswick, for whom full-back Steve Perks and stand-off Liam Gargan shone, sealed the win with a moment of magic from man of the match Judge.

The loose-forward took the ball from the base of a scrum, sold the defence a dummy and raced 50 yards to the line, Carl Pallister adding his third conversion.

York Acorn 'A' eased their relegation worries in division three by winning 44-28 at mid-table Hoyland Vikings, while Selby Warriors boosted their promotion hopes in division four with a good 32-6 win at Drighlington 'A'.

Updated: 10:28 Tuesday, January 17, 2006