NEW Earswick All Blacks continued their fine start to the Yorkshire League senior division season with a 36-14 defeat of Bilton Sullys.

After struggling in the first half, the York side hit top form after the break to run in 34 points to continue their unbeaten run.

Bilton went in front with an early converted breakaway try under the posts and, after All Blacks had got on the board with a Dave Carling penalty, scored two drop goals for a 8-2 half-time lead.

But All Blacks' run of points began on 52 minutes when winger Lee Nelson broke from a scrum to go 20 yards to the corner, with 'Scholesy' Sanderson - taking over kicking duties from the injured Carling - converting to level the scores.

The hosts went in front on the hour-mark when Tom Coomber pounced to get on the end of a kick to the corner, Sanderson converting.

Three minutes later, John Leach made a superb 40-yard break to score, Sanderson again goaling, and Nelson got his second try soon after.

Bilton came back into it on 70 minutes with a converted try to make it 24-14, but the game was effectively over five minutes later when Leach sent Dave Calam over out wide, Calam himself converting.

All Blacks finished it all off in the dying seconds when Alan Pallister stole the ball one-on-one near the visitors' line and put it down under the sticks, Carl Pallister goaling.

Leach was man of the match, followed by Nelson and Mark Tipping on his first game back since returning from Australia.

Gallant Groves

YORK Groves got their Pennine League division five season off to a winning start as they battled out a tough 19-16 victory at local rivals Wetherby Bulldogs.

Jason Dunn's boot proved decisive as he kicked a drop goal and penalty late on to see his side take the spoils.

On the third tackle of the game, Groves player-coach Simon Moat was harshly sin-binned for a high tackle, but the Terriers' defence held firm. However, Wetherby did cross for an unconverted try after 20 minutes.

Groves scored next when Paul Scott kicked through on the last, regathered the ball and touched down under the posts. Dunn goaled and added a penalty.

In the second half, Daniel Battle crashed over with three Wetherby players on his back and again Dunn converted.

Wetherby hit back with two converted tries sandwiching a Dunn penalty to make the scores level, but the Groves showed more composure in the final minutes to add a drop goal and penalty to win it.

Updated: 09:47 Tuesday, September 09, 2003