INJURY-RAVAGED York Groves took revenge on Bailiff Bridge with an 18-12 Pennine League division five victory, having lost to them the previous week.

Many of the Groves players upped their game, notably Neil Martyn and stand-in full back Paul Watson who went on to take the joint man of the match honours.

Bailiff Bridge took the lead but just before half time Andy Starkey fed Nige Ridsdale, who passed to Robin Pitt who went over for his first try for Groves. Jason Dunn added the extras.

Already Groves had lost both second row men, Keith Holmes and John Thompson before utility man Danny Battle went off with a shoulder injury early in the second half.

Despite these setbacks, Groves captain Dunn went over under the posts leaving himself an easy kick to put Groves ahead.

Bailiff Bridge levelled with a penalty before Groves' injury problems deepened when player-coach Simon Moat left the field with hamstring trouble.

When Groves next got into Bailiff's half they set up for a drop goal as Danny Buy coolly passed to Dunn who slotted the ball home.

Groves then went down to 12 men as Buy went off with an ankle injury but Holmes hobbled onto the field and proceded to make some crucial tackles.

Andy Payne added a further drop goal for Groves who sealed victory when the inspirational Martyn crashed over on the left.

Panthers maul Acorn

YORK ACORN U16s were beaten 26-6 by Castleford Panthers in the second round of the Yorkshire League Cup.

After a point-less first half, Acorn were reduced to 12 men just after the interval and that proved to be the turning point as the extra player proved decisive.

Centres Daryll North and Tom Sunman worked hard along with forwards Jack Swainsbury and Adam Winterburn. Tom Shaw impressed on his debut, but the man of the match was winger Billy Gillan.

York Acorn U13s started like a house on fire against Drighlington with Thomas Wadsworth scoring a try, converted by Stephen Yorke.

Man of the match David Magson then scored two of his four tries to make it 16-4 at half time.

Magson, Grant Spain and Oliver Hare and Daniel Lee scored tries after the interval for Acorn who were well served by Hare and Daniel Whittaker in the forwards and Harry Gunnell in the backs.

Acorn Under 14s were beaten 28-6 by Upton in a hard fought game.

After conceding three tries under heavy pressure from the home side, Acorn fought back with a well worked try as half back Steven Doswell put Adam Jones over to score, Doswell adding the extra two points.

In the second half Acorn rallied with a strong defence and lots of work from forwards Danny Birkett, Tom Wilcox, Tom Harrison, Liam Smith and Mark Sanderson.

Acorn's solid second half performance held the home side to two unconverted tries.

Outstanding for Acorn were man of the match Birkett, Adam Craven, Jones, Harrison, Doswell, Sanderson, Rob Allerdyce and Paul Cross.

York Acorn U15s were never in the game against Doncaster Toll Bar until the last 15 minutes as they slumped to a 10-6 defeat.

Failure to take their chances cost Acorn dear before Dean Wardell touched down with Lee Botterill converting. Steve Harper was Acorn's man of the match.

York Acorn Under 12s were mauled 54-0 by a slick Featherstone side. Jordan Hyde was man of the match and Josh Mortimer the most improved performer.

All Blacks' labour

PREMIER division New Earswick All Blacks Under-16s made hard work of their 34-14 Yorkshire Cup win over second division West Leeds.

They were never in danger of losing, but it was a scrappy display in which All Blacks rarely completed a set of six. Tries scorers were Jack Goodaker (2), man of the match Danny Allen (2), Thomas Mackley and Jack French.

New Earswick All Blacks U13s extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a 34-20 defeat of last year's Challenge Cup finalists Dewsbury Moor.

A physical game was won by solid defence led by Brad Swainston and Steve Gardner. All Blacks' tries came from Ben Johnson, Nick Speck, Adam Caddie, Joe Lancaster (2) and man of the match Luke Watling (2).

Updated: 14:19 Wednesday, December 10, 2003