NEW Earswick look to have secured third place in Yorkshire League division one after a hard-earned 28-8 victory at home to Ossett, who were also chasing a top-three finish.

All Blacks, who must now wait to see if third is good enough for promotion, started the game well, forcing Ossett to lose the ball in the first set and then forcing a drop-out from a Mick Harrison kick.

The early pressure was turned into points on six minutes when Harrison hit the strong-running Carl Pallister with a flat pass to go over wide out.

Ossett hit back against the run of play when All Blacks' Jez Petch gifted an interception to the full-back who scored in the corner.

However, the hosts retook the lead on 16 minutes when smart work by the backs and a great pass out of the tackle by Pallister put Adie Robinson over, Pallister converting.

The rest of the half saw defences on top although Ossett managed to close the deficit to 10-8 with a penalty and two drop goals.

All Blacks coach Simon Baynes put himself on early in the second half and it proved a good move as the veteran scored the next two tries, the first rounding off the best move of the match. Alan Pallister put Harrison through a gap with an excellent inside pass, Harrison then beat two defenders and off-loaded to Baynes, who scored beneath the posts.

His second try followed concerted pressure, Baynes showing good strength to score with a short run from acting-half.

All Blacks' last try, on 76 minutes, saw John Leach on his way in to touch throw a speculative overhead pass into the hands of Steve Sullivan, who left three defenders on the floor on a 30-yard sprint to the line.

Tom Coomber was man of the match followed by Harrison, Pete Nowell, Alan Pallister and Carl Pallister.

Updated: 10:07 Wednesday, May 07, 2003