York Acorn's six-match unbeaten start to their National Conference League division two campaign came to an abrupt end as they lost 32-8 away to fellow title-chasers Hunslet Warriors.

Acorn never quite got to grips with the quick direct running of their opponents and spent most of this match on the back foot.

Only briefly when 18-8 down did Acorn look capable of turning things around in their favour, but it wasn't to be.

Hunslet took the lead on five minutes when an inside ball from scrum-half Martin Rouse sent full-back Frank Lapping over for a try.

Centre Creasser added the extras to give his side a 6-0 lead which on 11 minutes was doubled when a scrum heel close to the Acorn line saw Hunslet stand-off Chris Peach send Lapping over for his

second try of the game.

Creasser once again added the conversion and at this stage things looked decidedly ominous for Acorn but to their credit they tightened their defence up.

Their efforts were rewarded on 33 minutes when quick passing between stand-off Danny Liddle and Rich Warren ended with winger Kevin Brundett going

over for a try out wide.

Unfortunately they allowed Hunslet to score a try near half time that undid all their hard work.

It had a little bit of good fortune to it as there was a suspicion of at least one forward pass in its build-up before Rouse crossed for the try which the ever-reliable Creasser converted to put the hosts into an 18-4 half-time lead.

Acorn knew they needed to get off to a flying start when the teams resumed and this they did when an astute kick by Stephen Waldron evaded everyone except the reach of impressive second rower Kenny Embleton who scored an unconverted try.

But any hopes of an Acorn fight-back were ended on 62 minutes following a try by Hunslet second rower Scott Gilmoor, which Creasser again goaled.

A 73rd-minute penalty by Creasser and a 76th-minute try by Hunslet second rower Darren Ballantyne completed the scoring to bring about Acorn's first loss of the season.

Only Embleton, prop forward Martin McTigue and substitute full-back John Tattersfield played anywhere near their best.

Updated: 10:37 Monday, October 08, 2001