A LAST-MINUTE penalty sent York Acorn ARLC ‘A’ agonisingly out of the Yorkshire Men’s League Forty-20 Cup.

The Blue and Golds were penalised for a ball steal and Skirlaugh ‘A’ stand-off Rob Brown kicked the winning points to end a 30-28 thriller.

Acorn had mounted a terrific fightback from 16-0 down after an hour, both sides ending with five tries apiece.

Bulls opened with a two-try salvo from centre Brandon Graham, with Brown adding one conversion. They were then rocked by two touchdowns in three minutes, with Acorn hooker Andy Gargan and winger Joel Johnson - who went on to register a hat-trick – going over. Antony Chilton kicked both conversions.

However, just before half-time, Bulls star playmaker Rob Blakebrough registered a fine try, Brown goaling to make it 16-12 at the break.

Brown and Blakeborough, with his second, crossed in quick succession, Brown adding the extras to both to seemingly put the Bulls in control.

But three tries in five minutes, two from Johnson sandwiching one by Jordan Hyde, plus two Chilton goals, levelled the scores with three minutes to play, only for Brown’s heartbreaker to see the hosts home.

In the Pennine League championship, New Earswick All Blacks beat third-placed Chequerfield Rangers 29-22.

All Blacks took the lead when stand-off Steve Doswell pounced on a loose ball with half-back Liam Gargan adding the extras.

Gargan kicked a penalty before Chequerfield hit back with an unconverted try. Another Gargan penalty was followed by a converted score from the visitors and then winger Will Leatt raced 60 metres to score with Gargan adding the extras.

Although Chequerfield levelled on the stroke of half-time, Gargan spotted a gap and sped through for a try he also converted.

Refusing to be shaken off, Chequerfield came back with a six-pointer, but New Earswick finally broke the shackles when centre Adam Kirby broke through and off-loaded to winger Tommy Hields to cross. Gargan added the touchline conversion and put the seal on the victory with a drop goal four minutes from time.

The All Blacks man of the match was second rower Reece Blake, who was backed up well by Kirby, hooker Jack Carling and debutant centre Alex Wilkins.

Selby Warriors had no game in division one, while Selby ‘A’ lost 46-12 at Illingworth ‘A’ in division seven.