Heworth discovered why Oldham St Anne's have the best defensive record in the National Conference premier division as the Villagers were nilled for the first time in a long time.

Oldham's 24-0 victory at Elmpark Way lifted them to second in the table while Heworth failed to score a try for the second successive week following last Saturday's 20-2 defeat by Woolston.

But on this occasion it certainly wasn't from lack of trying. Heworth tried everything they knew to break down the defence with top performer Mick Green, along with Wayne Foster and packmen Jason Gatus and Chris Plowman, the pick of a gutsy team effort.

There was also the heartening sight of Chris Hammerton back in action after his lengthy lay-off with a shoulder injury and the scrum half showed Heworth just what they have been missing with an excellent display.

But the Saints were not to be broken and with man of the match, scrum half Paul Kay in outstanding form, supported by the strong running of Glen Galbraith, John Brierley and Rob Whitemoss, they were in control throughout.

Their first try came after just two minutes, hooker Phil Russell scampering in from dummy half. Nine minutes later Chris Wright cut inside for a second try that Richard Badby goaled, the stand off then slotting over two penalties to give the visitors a 14-0 interval lead.

Heworth survived second rower Scott Wrigglesworth's spell in the sin bin for lying on but were soon out of contention when Whitemoss went in for Saints' third try which he converted.

Gavin Grant could have broken Heworth's duck but lost the ball in the act of scoring before Oldham wrapped things up in injury time with a try by winger Matt McPherson.

Acorn's bad run continues

More misery for Acorn as the York side found themselves on the wrong end of a 22-12 scoreline at home to Hull Dockers in the National Conference second division.

They've now managed just one win from their last nine games - just two all season - and look set for a battle against re-election unless they can find some form soon.

Acorn were just two points behind at the end of a close first half, Darren Callaghan kicking two penalties in reply to a James Price try and Paul Garner penalty for Dockers.

Callaghan put Acorn on level terms with an early second half penalty and the York side looked well capable of snatching victory. But when Chris Lines raced down the flank for Dockers' second try Acorn collapsed.

Andy Blake, Lines again and Steve Garner, finishing a break that started behind Dockers' own try line, piled on the points as Kevin Holderness and Price had a field day.

But Acorn battled to the end with Andy Dudman, Kenny Embleton and Mick Colley impressive, and earned a late consolation try from Dave Pearson which Callaghan goaled.

First half woe end All Blacks chances

IT was all over by half time for New Earswick All Blacks at Blackbrook and even a second half fightback couldn't stop them crashing to a 24-18 defeat.

All Blacks went ahead early on with a Dave Carling penalty but the St Helens side piled on the pressure to build up a 20-2 interval lead, a Darren Mitchell try and two touchdowns from Jimmy Forshaw adding to four goals from Alan Fletcher.

Carl Pallister gave New Earswick some hope with a try early in the second half but they were killed off when Mitchell went in for his second try.

Simon Haynes and the outstanding Mick Harrison brought some respectability to the final scoreline with a try apiece, Carling adding another couple of goals, but it was too little too late for the All Blacks.

Bottom club Mirfield recorded their first win of the season against York Groves in the Yorkshire League third division.

Groves travelled to Huddersfield on the back of some good results but could not repeat their performances of recent weeks as they went down 12-8. Player coach Alan Mitchell scored all Groves' points with a try and two goals, forward Andy Starkey getting man of the match.

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