Man-of-the-match centre Gareth Smith bagged four tries as York Acorn under-18s got their season off to an easy start with a 72-4 thrashing of a poor Harehills team.

Apart from one defensive lapse in the first quarter, it was one-way traffic to the Harehills try line as Acorn kept their shape and made the most of opportunities created by half-backs Antony Chilton, who kicked seven goals, and James Mountford.

Other tries came from James Leaf (2), Matt Woods, Eddie Clapham, playing his first game for some time, Danny Lee, Josh Mortimer, Carl Loft, Dave Jefferson and Chris Rushworth. Substitute Sam Hann added three conversions.

Promoted Heworth U14s had a hard opener to their season and lost 52-4 to Oulton Raiders.

Joe Hay, one of four new players, along with Tom Hay, Adam Lovett and Danny Whithead, was man of the match, while Lovett took the coaches’ award for his enthusiasm.

Dave Larkin was top tackler, while scrum-half Nathan Hammerton darted from acting-half to score Heworth’s only points as they improved in the second half.

New Earswick U14s also struggled in their Yorkshire League division two opener, an error-strewn performance leading to an 18-16 loss, despite their leading 10-6 at half-time.

Debutant Adam Wilson was All Blacks’ main attacking threat and their tries came from man-of-the-match Louis Phillips, pacy winger Jake Phillips, and stand-off Kieran Parker, who won the race to a clever kick from Tom Kilvington.

Nathan Veall and Kilvington added goals.