A FOUR-TRY haul from livewire hooker Joel Johnson, including a second-half hat-trick, helped York Acorn ARLC under-18s to continue their fine form with a 52-14 defeat of previous table-toppers Cottingham Tigers.

Acorn started much brighter than in previous weeks and should have had a couple of scores before prop Tim Stubbs charged over, half-back Matthew Brewer kicking the first of his six goals.

The visitors levelled before Johnson claimed his first try and centre Jacob Scales broke through to increase the lead.

Slack defence let the visitors in again but the second half was one-sided as the hosts stepped up a few gears to overwhelm their opponents.

Man-of-the-match Johnson completed his four-timer and good handling skills set up tries for second-row Dominic Noone (2), loose-forward Jack Scarce and winger Tom Connell.

Joe Porter, Jack Griffiths, Noone, Scales, Brewer and full-back Ryan Duffill all shone.

Josh Poulter scored a hattrick as Heworth U17s maintained their 100 per cent league record by beating inform Scarborough Pirates 52- 14 in a game that was closer than the scoreline suggests.

Scarborough, with two ex- Villagers in their ranks, went two tries up before Heworth got into gear with William Barratt, Jacob Field, Jack Rowson and Mike Conner making inroads and Danny Simpson bagging the first of his two tries.

Barratt also crossed, outstanding packman Poulter scored three times, and lightning quick winger Fraser West dived over.

Jason Smith later marked his fine return from injury with a try and Alex Clough, who again tackled expertly, also scored.

Goals were added by man-ofthe- match Harry Deighton (6), before he departed with an ankle injury, and Poulter (2).

York Acorn U15s kicked off their campaign with a 36- 14 win over Yorkshire League newcomers North Derbyshire Chargers.

Acorn had not played since October and were rusty but it was a good hit-out against a side who had been playing rugby union over the winter.

Reece Rushworth was man of the match, Jimmy Hardwick’s handling a pleasure to watch.

Alex Smith and Henry Andrews, winding his way to the line, scored in a close first half. After the break, Billy Nicholson (2), Reece Rushworth, Ben Limbert, thanks to Hardwick’s great ball skills, and Jacob Walker put Acorn clear.

Heworth U14s beat Milford Marlins 34-24.

Rob Kay opened their scoring and, although Milford took advantage of controversial decisions, Heworth remained well disciplined and battled on, with tries coming from Alex Thomas, Harry Radcliffe, Aaron Varndell, Jacob Sunderland and Jack Smith.

Man-of-the-match Radcliffe (3) and Sunderland kicked goals, while Robin Page and Jack Longstaffe tackled superbly, and Milo Dawson and Charlie Hill drove the ball forward well.

Heworth U12s were pipped for the second week running, this time 18-12 by Hunslet Warriors – although they did not produce the team effort of last week and should have won easily.

Ill-disipline cost them as the Warriors scored on the back of penalties, and they need to defend as a team and close down out wide.

Heworth’s tries came from Harry Sheppeard, out-stripping the defence after a kick return, and Sam Young, with Leon Beattie and Young adding goals.

Jake Wright was man of the match for his strong running, while Iain Oakley’s quick thinking from actinghalf stood out.

York Acorn U11s put in a great team effort to beat Batley Boys 32-4.

Tries came from Josh Parker, with a fine solo effort, joint players-of-thematch Lawrence Lumb and Ellie Hendry, coaches’ player of the match Nathan Rushton, sprinting threequarters of the length after collecting a fumbled ball, Ben Lumby, being fed by Josh Parker after linking in the line, and top tackler Ben Atkin, showing great balance.

Man-of-the-match Alex Oliver scored a hat-trick in Sherburn Bears U7s’ closely contested game against King Cross Park.

Top tackler Euan Mills- Hughes and Neave Romans also crossed, while there were also good runs and tackles from Stanley Wilkes, Conor Gowdy, Jake Wilkinson, Oliver Summersgill and George Hoskins. Daniel Siron stood out.

• York College’s rugby league team face Barlby College on Wednesday afternoon in the semi-finals of the Yorkshire section of the National Colleges Plate.

York were knocked out of the main National Cup competition by holders, and favourites, Wakefield College earlier this term, but saw off South Holderness College 38- 16 in the first round of the Plate ten days ago, with Tim Stubbs and Josh Poulter standing out – continuing their good form for their clubs, York Acorn and Heworth respectively.

York College are coached by York City Knights player-boss Chris Thorman. Knights captain James Ford coached Wakefield, where he is a lecturer, to the Colleges Cup last season but is no longer in charge there.