A HAT-TRICK by Chris Judge helped keep New Earswick All Blacks' title destiny in their own hands with a hard-fought 32-15 win at Emley Moor.

The result lifted the All Blacks to within two points of Pennine League division two leaders Kippax Welfare with two games in hand, though Newsome Panthers kept in touch just two points further back thanks to a 32-24 victory at Liversedge.

All Blacks had to fight hard against a game, physical side, though the hosts didn't help themselves when having a prop sent off just after half time for an awful high tackle on New Earswick hooker Alan Pallister when the scores were level.

The same player had been sent off when the teams met at White Rose Avenue earlier in the season for throwing a punch.

Emley led 10-8 in the first half with a try and three goals, All Blacks' replies coming from tries by Chris Judge and Paul Dooley, before a James Sanderson penalty on the stroke of half-time brought the sides level.

Pallister shot through a gap two minutes after the restart only to be clobbered by the red-card offence but the All Blacks did not make the extra man pay until late on.

They went ahead for the first time midway through the half when man of the match stand-off Mark Green sent Judge over for a converted try but Emley Moor hit back with a try and drop goal to get within one point again.

However, All Blacks, for whom prop Eddie Keeping excelled, then played their best rugby of the match in the last 12 minutes as a fine move ended with Green sending Judge in for his hat-trick try, then scrum-half Ben Jones scored an individual effort and Green put Dooley over for his second, Sanderson adding two more conversions to seal the win.

The division four title is now between York Acorn 'A' and Undercliffe after they both enjoyed good wins to go clear of Thornton and Wyke. Acorn, set to be promoted for the second successive year, won 44-6 at Illingworth 'A', while Undercliffe beat Slaithwaite 31-12.

Heworth 'A' team's postponed Yorkshire League division three game against Castleford Lock Lane 'A' has been rescheduled for next week.

Updated: 09:29 Tuesday, April 05, 2005