YORK'S two National Conference League division two clubs earned a superb double over Cumbrian opposition on Saturday.

While York Acorn hammered Millom 44-0 at home, Heworth turned over title favourites Wath Brow Hornets 18-16 on their own turf in a wonderful encounter in front of a 50-strong crowd.

Lee Clarke and captain Dave Carling were was the Villagers' heroes, the former going over six minutes from time to level the scores and the latter kicking the all-important extras.

Heworth had even fought back from 14-0 down, with some tremendous tackling putting the NCL newcomers off their stride.

Carl Potter put Heworth's man of the match, loose-forward Steve Barnard, in on 54 minutes, then Wayne Foster burst over from ten metres, Carling goaling both times.

Although a home penalty made it 16-12, Clarke and Carling gave Heworth the points.

Villagers spokesman Ken Sykes said: "It was a tremendous performance. They should probably have won it from 14-0 but we put in some great tackling, particularly from Brendan Carlyle, Liam Cochrane and Carl Barrow, which upset their rhythm.

"Every one of our players deserves credit. Wath Brow are a very good side and I don't think many teams will come away from there with a win."

Acorn began their home campaign with an emphatic win, avenging last season's disappointing defeat.

Their dominance owed much to the form of captain Lee Frank at hooker, stand-off Michael Embleton and full-back Andy Lee. Substitute forward Allan Hebblethwaite, the former coach, also impressed although it might be his last game after he irritated an old back injury. His introduction midway through the second half coincided with Acorn's best period, which saw him create three tries.

The game was scrappy in parts but Acorn stuck to their game plan and their defence held firm.

Scrum-half Johnny Waldron opened the scoring from close range, then a Michael Embleton pass saw Lee stride over unopposed, and second rower Dave Norman raced in on the angle for a fine individual try.

In the second half, Hebblethwaite off-loaded to send loose-forward Stephen Waldron racing into the Millom half to curve round the full-back to touch down. From the re-start, Craig Fox, Frank and Stephen Waldron set up centre Gareth Lloyd for a 30-yard rampage to the line.

Hebblethwaite passed the ball out of the tackle to send Kenny Embleton over, then Michael Embleton's work saw Lee jink his way over from 35 yards.

Hebblethwaite then produced the pass which saw prop Paul Dodsworth go over from 20 yards for the final try, Frank adding his sixth goal.

More amateur RL reports later in the week.

Updated: 12:07 Monday, September 02, 2002