New Earswick All Blacks ARLC slipped to fourth in the Pennine League championship after a 43-16 home defeat by Bradford-based Clayton.

The All Blacks took the lead at White Rose Avenue after good work down the middle saw a great inside ball open space for second-rower Jack Law to race 50 metres to score.

Centre Max Bracken converted.

Clayton levelled the scores, but the All Blacks hit the front once again with substitute prop Brian Wright powering over for Bracken to convert.

Clayton scored again midway through the half and forged into the lead with three converted tries in six minutes to lead 30-12 at half-time.

New Earswick narrowed the gap after 19 seconds of the second half as loose-forward Joe Stearman crossed after Clayton conceded a penalty for offside.

However, Clayton added to their lead with two converted tries and a drop goal.

Man of the match for the home side was hooker Jack Carling, while there were also strong displays from Stearman and stand-off Sean Malarkey.

Division three title chasers Selby Warriors trounced visitors Victoria Rangers 94-4.

CMS Yorkshire League division two champions York Acorn ‘A’ were 50-22 victors at Sherburn Bears.

Heworth ‘A’, who were without a game, have finished ninth in division three.