York Schools' return to competitive Under-11 rugby league was not a happy one as they were beaten 40-12 by an experienced Leeds Schools side at Heworth's Elmpark Way ground.

York Schools' Under-11 rugby league team

But it was an encouraging performance by York, who have not fielded an Under-11 side for several years and were playing their first game in a tough Yorkshire Schools League.

Liam Gargan and Thomas Hodgson scored York's tries with Ross Divorty and Hodgson adding a goal each.

Development officer Tony Gargan, who thanked Heworth for the use of their floodlit pitch, was pleased with the boys' efforts and is looking forward to their next league match in January.

Yorkshire Under-18 League division two leaders Batley Boys turned on the style to send New Earswick All Blacks Under-18s crashing to a 56-14 defeat.

Starting the game with only 12 players and a number of forwards missing, things went from bad to worse for the All Blacks when impressive forward Craig Ackroyd had to go off with a bad shoulder injury, leaving them with just 11 players.

But the team never gave up and played some impressive rugby, play-maker Luke Judson, strong running forwards Eddie Keeping and Carl Barrow, plus speedy winger Andy Innes the pick of the All Blacks.

Keeping, Innes and Carl Bushby scored the All Blacks tries with Innes also adding a goal.

Acorn Under-18s turned in a solid display to beat visiting Hull Dockers 'A' 28-4.

Key performers for Acorn were man of the match Alan Willitts in the centre, full back Damian Preece, winger Robert Barthorpe and props Dean Crump and Jamie Towey.

Acorn's points came from tries by Willitts, fellow centre Rich Tinker, loose forward Michael Embleton and stand off Danny Liddell (2) who also notched a brace of goals.

In the Under-16s League premier division Greetland Tigers proved a tough nut to crack for Acorn Under-16s but the York boys dug deep to secure a 20-4 away win.

It was a below par performance from Acorn who are struggling to gel as a team and once again it was individuals who lead the way.

Man of the match for Acorn was prop forward Dean Drury and there were good displays also from stand off Johnny Waldron, loose forward Paul Payne, full back Brendan Aherne, winger Sam Naylor and centre Paul Day. The points came from a brace of Craig Fox goals and two tries each for Waldron and Payne.

A 12-man Heworth Under-16s proved too strong for West Craven Warriors as they ran out comfortable 40-12 winners.

A sound defence built the foundations for the win and enabled Heworth to gain the upper hand in attack. Skipper Rowan Wallis-Hill led the point scoring with three tries, others coming from Danny Sinclair (2), Gareth Kirby, Darren Gargan and Jamie Wright. Gary Watkinson kicked four goals. Top performers for the Villagers were Adam Fella, Sinclair, Gargan and Wallis-Hill.

A superb fightback saw Acorn Under-15s claw back from 20-4 down to defeat Oulton Raiders 54-28.

Acorn showed great character to make up for their lacklustre opening, second rower Phil Coles leading the way with four tries and some excellent tackling.

He was closely followed by Robbie Dolan. Other try scorers were Richard Scott (2), John Tattersfield and Bobby Foster, Andy Gargan kicking five goals.

Acorn's Under-14s had a similarly slow start but recovered to win 58-18 at home to a well-drilled Knottingley side.

The game changed when the Acorn forwards took control and with man of the match Dean Winspere a tower of strength in the front row, the York boys swamped their visitors to score 12 tries through Peter Fox (4), Andy Henson (3), Chris Spain (3), Ben Laycock and Damien Hilton. Henson also added five goals.

Dudley Hill were too strong for Acorn Under-12s who slipped to a 48-18 defeat despite turning in their best performance of the season.

Key players were Tom Hill, Nick Hartley and Rob Lawrence who all worked hard. Acorn's points came from tries by Tom Hill (2) and Joe Burns plus three Tom Dunmoor goals.

Just two points separated Acorn Under-10s and Hunslet Parkside as the visiting West Yorkshire lads had the edge in a 36-34 win.

Danny Sandford was Acorn's man of the match and there were other good performances from Oliver Pitt, Leigh Botterill and Wesley Potter.

The points were shared by Sandford and Botterill who scored two tries and a goal apiece, Scott Maxwell and Pitt who both got a try and a goal, and a Joe Budd conversion.

A blistering opening provided the platform for Heworth Under-12s to defeat Smawthorne 52-22.

A fine team display saw 10 players cross for tries as the young Villagers turned on the style.

Tries came at regular intervals from Marcus Allan (2), Steve Jepson, Paul Thompson, Sam Johnson, Mathew Derry, Mike Welsh, Adam Snowball, Sean Coulson, Joe Hodgson and Sam Ackroyd with goals coming from Thompson, Welsh, Coulson and Ackroyd.

Spirited Acorn Team beaten but unbowed

There was pride in defeat for York Acorn 'A', who gave a spirited display despite going down 29-6 at Westgate 'A' in the Yorkshire Alliance second division.

The team can take heart from their performance, while a number of individuals were especially impressive including prop Andy Bell, loose forward Rich Warren and stand-off Ian Hann.

Acorn's only points came from a Phil Galloway try converted by Danny Liddell.

New Earswick All Blacks 'A' took an early lead against Stanley Rangers but lost 23-4.

The All Blacks went in front when Simon Malarkey sent stand-off Scott Raven crashing over the line but that was the end of the All Blacks scoring as Stanley's defence held firm. Rangers were 13-4 up at the interval.

For New Earswick there was some strong running from man of the match Mark Boitouit and ex-Union forward Rich Elders, while Andy Wynne, Chris Thompson, Jamie Danials and Ady Robinson all played well.

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