JONNY Waldron raced in for two late tries to complete a hat-trick and keep York Acorn ARLC joint-top of National Conference League division one.

The flying winger, the league's record-breaking try-scorer last season, has kicked off this campaign in similar fashion and it was his double in the last ten minutes, both times bursting down the left wing, that secured a 26-12 victory over previously undefeated Rochdale Mayfield at Thanet Road.

Waldron had put Eric Fitzsimons' men ahead after seven minutes and, after Mayfield reversed the lead through a Matt Gartland try goaled by Ben Butterworth, centre Gareth Lloyd crossed to give Acorn an 8-6 half-time advantage.

Darren Callaghan, playing at stand-off after returning to his amateur club from LHF National League Two champions York City Knights, glided through for a try after the interval, but Andy Gargan's missed conversions meant Mayfield could draw level with a converted try, which they did as full-back Steve Gartland went in and stand-off Matt Gartland goaled.

Mayfield then saw a drop goal ruled out - they claimed it went through the sticks but the referee deemed it missed - and looked the more likely winners as Acorn penalties piggy-backed them upfield.

However, Gargan put his shooting boots on to edge the hosts in front with a penalty and Waldron then sealed it with his tries on 70 and 75 minutes, although the first was controversial as the referee appeared to blow his whistle at an Acorn play-the-ball close to their own line, which saw some visiting players stop only for the official to wave play-on and Lee Frank to race upfield to set the field position for the try. Gargan goaled both.

The result sees Acorn lie second to West Hull, behind only on points-difference, with these two being the only teams in the division with a 100 per cent record after three games.

Updated: 10:30 Monday, September 19, 2005