HEWORTH Under 18s closed out their season in style on Sunday after winning both matches of an end-of-season friendly series against local rivals York Acorn.

The brainchild of Acorn junior coach Carl Harrison, the hotly contested matches were a fantastic advert for the future of rugby league in York.

Both sides fielded players from their Under 16s alongside the Under 18s, giving them a taste of the type of rugby that they can look forward to in the new year.

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The first floodlit game was hosted by Acorn on October 18, with a bumper crowd watching on as a closely fought match ended 8-0 in the visitors’ favour.

Heworth’s defence proved to be the difference on the night, their tries coming from Henry Wynn and Max Rhodes, son of first-team coach Scott.

The Villagers then turned up the pressure in game two, with three tries inside the opening quarter-hour leaving their Acomb-based opponents with a large hill to climb.

Kenzie Witty twice crossed the whitewash, alongside efforts from Will McCardle, George Burton, Ellis Southerington and Ellis Cochrane as the scoreline ended 40-16 in Heworth’s favour.

However, Acorn could be commended for battling right until the full-time whistle, with both teams showing that the future of their open age teams is in safe hands.

Heworth coach Nigel Wilson is hopeful that the friendly series will continue, saying: “Carl approached us with the idea of having a two-match series of friendlies to close out the season.

“It’s proved to be really good and is definitely something we’d do again next year.”

Both sides can now look forward to a few months off before the start of their respective 2025 campaigns.