PENNINE League division five leaders York Acorn 'A' strengthened their position at the top with a fine 38-18 derby win at injury-hit York Groves.

Veteran loose-forward Barry Fox led the way with an all action tackling display and helped take the sting out of Groves.

Acorn were also well served by another of their veterans, scrum-half Mick Calam, whose tactical kicking game kept pushing Groves back into their own territory, while Matt Wash shone on the wing.

The Terriers put up a good fight but a poor start to both halves cost them dearly. Acorn scored four tries, three converted, within the first 20 minutes before Groves started to play anything like they can, with captain Jason Dunn crossing and converting and James Foster-Rain also scoring in the corner just before half-time.

At 22-10, Groves had a chance but Acorn took advantage of lacklustre defence to build up a 34-10 lead, which would have been worse but for Groves full-back Paul Watson.

The Terriers again improved, with stand-off Danny Buy starting to look dangerous. Foster-Rain took advantage to score his second, Dunn converting, and winger Adie Beales finished the scoring in the corner.

Acorn's tenth league win, though, was secured with tries from Rich Scott (2), Matthew Embleton, Jason Harper, Andy Henson, Fox and Paul Sawyer to go with five Andy Henson goals.

Updated: 11:21 Tuesday, December 16, 2003