Heworth will need to seek re-election to the Arriva Trains Conference after their place in the bottom two of the second division was confirmed by a defeat away to Eastmoor.

The Villagers lost, albeit gamely with a weakened side, 22-10 and thus remain eight points adrift of safety with three games to play.

It has been a sorry season for outgoing player-coach Brendan Carlyle's troops, who had begun the campaign with such high hopes after just missing out on promotion last year.

Heworth have won only three league games this season and Eastmoor did not want them to add to that tally in a game hit by awful weather.

Craig Martin opened the Dragons' scoring and loose-forward Marc Jaques added a second try, which the outstanding Matt Rogers goaled.

To their credit, though, Heworth did not lie down and impressive prop Will Neary scored a try against the strong wind before half-time to give them a chance.

Rogers crossed shortly after the break, though, and Martin got his second to increase the lead but Heworth, with Carlyle again excellent and John Coulson also shining, crossed again seven minutes from time as Sam Clarke charged in with Chris Hammerton adding the extras.

Any hope they had was forlorn, however, as Drew Meadows ended the scoring near the death.

More ARL reports, including title-chasing York Acorn 'A's crucial clash with Selby Warriors, will be published tomorrow.

Updated: 10:28 Monday, March 22, 2004