YORK Acorn slumped to a third consecutive defeat and conceded over 40 points for the second game in a row in National Conference division one.

Fresh from a 46-0 defeat at second-placed Hunslet Club Parkside, Acorn were beaten 44-28 at home by leaders Underbank Rangers.

Coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul had made six changes and his side conceded after just two minutes of the game when winger Sam Ansell squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try.

Rangers doubled the lead on 17 minutes when Ansell again finished off a free flowing move near the corner flag.

Ansell had completed a hat-trick by the 23rd minute but all three tries were unconverted leaving Acorn trailing 12-0.

Rangers seized on a lack of urgency in the Acorn defence when Australian second rower Billy Rogers went over soon after.

Scrum half Richard Pogson finally added the extras.

Yet another missed tackle allowed Rangers to extend their lead through substitute forward Luke Roberts. Pogson converted..

Acorn scored for the first time in 125 minutes of rugby when centre Gareth Singleton, on his return from York RUFC, crashed over for a try converted by stand off Anthony Chilton.

Second rower Brandon Harris then cut the perfect angled line to race in, unopposed, from 30 metres out.

Chilton added the conversion to reduce Rangers’ lead to 12 points.

Acorn were punished for ball watching when the impressive Pogson chipped over and re-gathered before planting the ball down for a try he himself converted.

To their credit, Acorn - who were now trailing 30-12 - refused to let their visitors run away with it and notched a third converted try on 55 minutes.

Substitute hooker Nick Speck went over from the acting half role for a try which was converted by Chilton.

When the fit-again Ryan Gallacher scored to make it 30-22 on 59 minutes, Acorn briefly looked capable of getting back into the game.

But they were unable to continue their revival and, on 62 minutes, Pogson created the space for loose forward Craig Williams to go in for Rangers at the side of the posts.

Pogson added the extras and Rangers held a 40-22 lead.

Just two minutes later, Acorn were guilty of missing several tackles which allowed Rogers the opportunity to score his second try of the game for Rangers.

The visitors were now on a roll and Acorn’s much improved second half display was being flattened under an avalanche of points.

Winger Courtney Allette went in for a try out wide and that left Acorn trailing 44-22.

Acorn responded with a sterling finale that brought them a fifth try of the game through acting half Speck on 78 minutes.

Chilton added the conversion.

Acorn will draw a lot of confidence from their second half showing.

Impressive performances from man of the match Harris, winger Matty Downes and forwards Adam Endersby and Speck gave their team a foothold in a contest after a disappointing start.

However, Underbank - who have won 12 games out of 13 in the league this season - always had the edge, thanks mainly to the dominant performances of hooker Sam Rochford, scrum half Pogson and the second row pairing of Rogers and American Casey Clark.