YORK Acorn Rugby League Club stormed to promotion from division two of the National Conference League thanks to a 46-26 win at home to Millom while their promotion rivals Waterhead were losing at lowly Saddleworth.

Acorn's ten-try victory has put them out of reach of Waterhead with one game to go and thus sure of a place in division one next season.

The Blue and Golds had looked out of the promotion race a few weeks ago but excellent results in the run-in coupled with Waterhead's slip-up has put Dave Kay's men into the second tier for the first time in the club's history.

Millom opened the scoring with a Paul Evans goal after two minutes, but three minutes later Gareth Lloyd went over for Acorn and the York side increased their lead with a Mick Hagan try, Andy Gargan goaling.

A penalty by Gargan made it 12-2 and Acorn went further ahead on the half hour with a try from man of the match prop Adam Endersby.

Millom responded with a Norman Mossop touchdown converted by Paul Evans but Acorn took a 20-8 interval lead with a Jon Waldron try.

Millom reduced the deficit to six points five minutes into the second half with a converted Chris Spiers try, but Andy Lee scored a fine individual try to put Acorn 24-14 ahead and then Lloyd got his second to take Acorn clear. Danny Liddell took over the goalkicking from the mis-firing Gargan to convert.

Millom cut the gap again, Anthony Dixon going over for a converted try, but speedster Waldron got his second and ten minutes later Mick Hagan's superb touchdown and conversion by Liddell made it 40-20.

This was followed by a Gargan touchdown converted by Lee to put Acorn 46-20 in front before Millom finished with a try from Andrew Mellen converted by Evans.

...but Heworth have to re-apply to league

Heworth ARL will have to apply for re-election to the National Conference League.

Their 42-14 defeat at Ince Rosebridge plus a shock win for re-election rivals Saddleworth Rangers over Waterhead has left the Villagers second bottom in the table, with Rangers having gone above them.

Title-chasing Ince went ahead after ten minutes with a Stuart Taylor try converted by Lee Jukes. Four minutes later Heworth scored when Carl Potter kicked a penalty awarded for offside.

But Ince Rosebridge increased their lead in the 24th minute with a try from Lee Jones, converted by Jukes. Three minutes later Jones got his second try.

Jamie Wright touched down for Heworth after 32 minutes, Potter kicking the conversion. But just before the interval Mat Cunningham went over for a try converted by Jukes to make it 22-8.

Two minutes into the second half Jukes kicked a penalty followed by a Taylor try and Jukes conversion.

In the 51st minute Heworth were rewarded with a try following good passing along the line for Gavin Grant to touch down his 27th try of the season. Potter kicked the conversion.

The home side added two tries, from Ravi Daniels after 63 minutes and Chris Leyland three minutes later, both converted by Jukes.

Loose forward Luke Judson was Heworth's man of the match and there were also good performances by Simon Harrison and Glen Chittock on the wing.

Updated: 09:04 Monday, May 02, 2005