NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC took another huge step towards promotion to the Pennine League premier division with a 28-22 win in a four-pointer at old rivals Kippax.

The hosts, third in the table, were boosting their chances of catching second-placed All Blacks as they led 12-4 at half-time.

But visiting player-coach Alan Pallister brought himself and loose-forward Mick Harrison into the fray to add some experience to the line-up, and the move paid off handsomely.

Kippax went ahead with a try after an interception had taken them to the line and they gained a man advantage when Jamie Rhodes was sin-binned for holding down.

The visitors held out and, on Rhodes' return, teenager Joe Stearman responded with a superb finish.

But the home team nevertheless added a converted try and a penalty before the break.

Pallister played a key role in getting All Blacks back on the scoreboard four minutes after the restart as he drove forward, turned his back on the defence and sent outstanding prop Jamie Daniel roaring over.

They then drew level as scrum-half Ben Jones sold the defence a dummy and flew in from half-way, and they soon went ahead as a flowing move involving Rhodes, Chris Judge, impressing at stand-off, and Harrison ended with centre Chris Spain scoring.

A James Sanderson penalty made it 18-12 before Daniel and Tom Hodgson combined to send man of the match Spain in for his second try.

A Kippax try brought them close at 22-16 but All Blacks killed the game off two minutes from time as Spain picked up a loose ball and sent inspirational captain Jez Petch racing to the posts, Sanderson converting, meaning an injury-time converted try at the other end was mere consolation for the hosts.

York Acorn 'A' lost 38-28 in a mid-table battle in division three, while second-placed Selby Warriors saw their promotion hopes in division four aided as leaders Littleborough beat third-placed Wyke.

Heworth 'A' forfeited their Yorkshire League division three game at Nevison Leap.

Updated: 10:56 Tuesday, March 14, 2006