Compiled by Dianne Hillaby

A potential shock result at Liverpool John Moores University was avoided in emphatic style by New Earswick All Blacks.

ON THE RUN: Acorn's Kenny Embleton takes on the Hillsborough Hawks defence.

Picture: Nigel Holland

The All Blacks beat the Student League champions 34-4 to become York's only representatives in the second round of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup.

All Blacks played their best rugby of the season and never looked back after taking the lead in the 14th minute when winger Lee Nelson raced in for a try.

Athough Jez Hillam struck back ten minutes later with a try in the corner, it proved the home side's only success.

Led by player-coach Mick McTigue and stand-in hooker Jamie Daniel, All Blacks took total command and deservedly went ahead in the 34th minute when man-of-the-match Paul Booth crashed over under the poasts and Dave Carling added the extras.

Just before half-time Carling came on the overlap to score and send All Blacks into a 14-4 interval lead.

Two minutes after the restart Carling again went on the overlap to score a repeat of his first try.

Jez Petch added another on the hour mark and on 71 minutes Fijian John Kama scored his first try for the club after some great work by substitute Andy Daniel. carling added the conversion.

Late on substitute Paul Meilliam went over for a try to complete the scoring.

Nigel Wilson, Richard Harrison and Carl pallister, in addition to Booth, were outstanding for All Blacks, who won't fear anyone in the next round if they hit this kind of form again.

Heworth dominated much of their home tie against Oulton Raiders but the visitors lived up to their name to book their place in round two.

The 16-2 scoreline did not reflect the pattern of the game but Oulton deserved credit for their rock solid defence.

It was only 6-2 until eight minutes from time when Oulton were awarded penalty for offside. Up to that point the visitors had spent all the second half defending but the penalty, converted by Richard Mee, changed the course of the match.

Tries from prop Steve Holmes three minutes from the end and Danny Elston two minutes later finished off Heworth.

The Villagers were missing Jason Gatus who had suffered a facial injury in training but still held their own in a scrappy first half. Carl Potter gave them the lead with a 17th minute penalty for a high tackle before winger Elston hit back with Oulton's first try 15 minutes later.

An up and under from Rob Moules was dropped by Chris Hammerton in deteriorating conditions and the ball fell to Elston who made no mistake.

Heworth were held just short several times but the nearest they came to scoring was when Craig Forsyth was held up on his back over the line.

York Acorn bowed out at the first hurdle when they lost 14-6 at home to Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks.

Defences were on top throughout the first half with Acorn being well served by prop Leigh Marshall, man-of-the-match Kenny Embleton, Paul Dodsworth and second row man Dave Norman.

The only score of the half came on 39 minutes when left winger Ben Fairfax squeezed in at the corner to put Hawks in front.

Acorn drew level after 45 minutes when substitute second row Michael Lumby broke through and raced 50 yards before feeding winger Paul Sawyer, who rounded the full-back to score.

A Matt Butler penalty and a try by the same player after 65 minutes put Hawks 10-4 in the lead.

Acorn reduced the deficit with a Dave Norman penalty, but Sheffield had the final word when from a quick scrum heel full back Butler joined the line at pace to score his second try of the game.

Several Challenge Cup matches fell victim to the weather but all the games involving the Forces teams went ahead. And they all justified their inclusion for the first time as they recorded impressive victories.

The Army hammered Yorkshire League premier division side Dewsbury Celtic 54-7, the Royal Navy triumphed 4-0 at National Conference second division club Hull Dockers and the RAF booked their place in the second round with a 20-8 success at home to another NCL division two side, Normanton Knights.

There was a terrific performance by Edinburgh eagles who came close to pulling off a shock against NCL premier division outfit Woolston but were just edged out 17-12.

The draw for the second round will be staged by Radio Leeds on Wednesday, December 8, at 7.10pm.

The second round ties are scheduled for the weekend of December 18/19.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.