New Earswick All Blacks’ four-year tenure in the Pennine League premier division came to an end, despite a brave performance in a 30-24 defeat away to play-off hopefuls Crigglestone All Blacks.

Crigglestone opened the scoring with a converted try in the first minute of the match, but New Earswick responded straight away with Ben Jones ducking and weaving to score a try that was converted by Carl Fernandez.

In the battle of the ‘All-Blacks’, New Earswick then took the lead after second-rower Adam Kirby broke the defensive line and raced 50 metres to score, Fernandez again converted to give the visitors a brief 12-6 lead.

However, some sloppy defensive work allowed Crigglestone to score three converted tries before the break for a 24-12 lead at half-time.

New Earswick started the second half strongly, and soon closed the gap to six points after winger Declan Malarkey caught a kick through to score.

Malarkey was soon in for his second try of the match after a good passing movement created space. Fernandez converted both tries and the scores were now level with half an hour remaining.

Crigglestone once again took the lead with their fifth converted try of the afternoon, and despite plenty of New Earswick pressure, Crigglestone’s strong defence held out to the end for a hard-fought victory.

Man-of-the-match for New Earswick was full-back Steve Perks with notable strong efforts from second-rower Joe Stearman and loose-forward Daryl Fogg.

In Pennine League division five, second-placed New Earswick ‘A’ lost ground on leaders Woodhouse Warriors, after a 22-10 home defeat to third-placed rivals Stainland Stags.

Selby Warriors ‘A’ recorded their fourth victory of the season with a comfortable 56-12 home win over bottom club Underbank ‘A’, while in the CMS Yorkshire League Alliance Cup quarter-finals, Heworth ‘A’ conceded to Castleford Lock Lane after they were unable to raise a team.