THE difference in class told as Oulton Raiders knocked Heworth out of the GMB Union National Cup with a fourth round 38-12 defeat.

Oulton, flying high in the National Conference League premier division, were always favourites to beat their division two hosts and, although Heworth fought valiantly, especially in the second half, the game was over by half-time at 24-6.

Second row Sasch Brook was the tormentor-in-chief with a hat-trick of touchdowns as the Raiders ran in eight tries in total.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes: "They were a very good side, very fast at the play-the-ball and they caught us on the hop a few times."

Heworth had taken a second-minute lead with a Dave Carling penalty awarded for a high tackle on Jason Kane, but Brook got his first try son after. Three minutes later winger Lee Hall went over, the other wingman, Gary Robb, converting.

Brook then got his second and after Heworth's Wayne Foster was sin-binned for holding down, Oulton second row Danny Burton raced over, Robb converting.

Heworth came back for Nathan Witty to score a good try after a run by Lee Clarke but Oulton scored again before half-time through stand-off Gavin Ward.

The Villagers fought well after the break but it was the Raiders who scored first through Robb after a fine run by hooker Neil Horton.

Heworth hit back when Clarke's pass put Foster in under the posts, Carling converting to make it 12-28.

On 65 minutes, Brendan Carlyle thought he'd reduced the deficit further with a breakaway, but Heworth were penalised for raking the ball out in the tackle.

A minute later, Brook completed his hat-trick, Robb converting, and a further try came from Chris Brown.

Sykes added: "We were outplayed but never stopped trying, our best players being Steve Barnard, Liam Cochrane and Mark Green."

New Earswick All Blacks faced Oulton 'A' in Yorkshire League senior and division one and again suffered for travelling with only the bare 13.

With indiscipline also playing a factor once again, as two players were sin-binned, All Blacks tired towards the end and conceded three late tries to give the scoreline a flattering 40-16 look in Oulton's favour.

The first half had been an even, ding-dong affair. Oulton went in front on four minutes with a try out wide, but five minutes later All Blacks were ahead as Andy Innes burst clear from half way and scored under the posts, Carl Pallister converting.

Two more tries for Oulton, one converted, made it 14-6 by the half-hour mark but All Blacks again hit back when prop Jamie Daniel sent Pallister crashing over.

Five minutes before half-time, prop Steve Harris crashed over in the corner to level the scores, with Palister converting from the touchline.

A minute before half-time, however, Oulton scored again out wide to edge it 18-16 by the break.

All Blacks, with man-of-the-match captain Jez Petch and second row Pete Johnson prominent, worked hard in the second half but to no avail.

Indiscipline was a factor too, as Innes and then Aidie Robinson were yellow carded within ten minutes of each other, both for disputing tries. Oulton then ran away with it with three late tries to make the scoreline harsh on the York team.

York Acorn's NCL division two match at Millom was postponed.

Updated: 11:58 Monday, February 25, 2002