HEWORTH retained the bragging rights with a hard-fought 20-16 success at fierce local rivals York Acorn on Saturday.

A healthy crowd turned out at Thanet Road to witness the first ever meeting of the two clubs in the NCL Premier Division, and were treated to a classic derby clash - a tough and enthralling physical encounter with no quarter asked or given and the result in doubt right until the final whistle.

The Villagers, who were never behind in the contest, led 14-6 at the break and 20-6 after 65 minutes but had to resist a strong fightback from the hosts before running out deserved winners.

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Acorn had much the better of the early exchanges and territory but were let down by a failure to control the ball which led to them turning over possession at regular intervals.

When they did manage to exert pressure on the visitors’ line, some solid defending kept them at bay.

Heworth remained patient, completing their sets and turning over the ball in good field position before taking the lead on 24 minutes when Danny Allan threaded a pin-point grubber kick through the advancing defensive line and second rower Tyler Craig followed up to touch down for an unconverted try.

And five minutes later they doubled their advantage when a neat offload from centre Ben Dent led to winger George Burton crossing by the right corner flag to make it 8-0.

The Villagers then suffered a cruel blow when the game had to be stopped for five minutes after an injury to Callum Rutland - in only his second game after coming back from an ACL injury - who had to be carried from the field with a suspected broken ankle.

When the match resumed, Heworth kept up the momentum and went further ahead when Craig shrugged off several defenders as he raced from the 20-metre line to score his second of the match.

Allan converted to put them 14-0 ahead but Acorn had the last word before the break with a try by second-rower George Hunt goaled by Antony Chilton to reduce the deficit to 14-6 at half time.

Both sides came out firing after the break, but it was defences that initially prevailed.

That was until the 54th minute, with the Black and Whites looking to have taken control of the match when forward Liam Richmond showed his strength to force his way over to the right of the posts for their fourth try.

Hooker Jack Sadler added the extras to make it 20-6.

The hosts though were not about to lie down and 10 minutes later it was game on when Joe Porter proved unstoppable from close to the line and full back Matt Chilton’s conversion reduced the deficit to eight.

Sensing victory, and helped by a string of penalties in their favour, Acorn set the visitors’ nerves jangling after Chilton crossed wide out on the left edge for an unconverted try to make it 20-16.

In a frantic final few minutes both sides exerted strenuous efforts to prevail but Heworth’s defence stood firm and they held out for a deserved victory.

Prop Jack Aldous took the Villagers’ Man of the match award.

Next Saturday, Heworth welcome St Helens outfit Thatto Heath Crusaders to Elmpark Way, whilst Acorn travel to Egremont Rangers (kick-offs both 2:30pm).