HEWORTH ARLC notched a third consecutive victory as they beat Allerton Bywater 32-16 in their first home game of the Yorkshire Men's League division one season.

In a stop-start performance in strength-sapping conditions at Elmpark Way, the Villagers trailed 16-14 at the break before a strong second-half show produced three converted tries without reply.

It put them top of the early table.

The hosts went ahead after only three minutes when impressive handling resulted in winger Cameron Taylor crossing in the corner, and nine minutes later they doubled their advantage through second-row Joe Deighton.

The visitors responded with a try by second-row Louis Silkstone goaled by stand-off Richard Fisher and, after intense pressure on the home line, took a two-point lead when winger Daniel Snowden crossed in the corner.

It became 16-8 on the half-hour as full-back Jarrod Trout crossed with Fisher again converting.

But two minutes before the break, Heworth got themselves back into the match when stand-off George Elliott put second-row Sam Atkinson over and Deighton tagged on the extras.

The Villagers regained the lead, which they were never to relinquish, in the opening minute of the second half after the visitors turned over possession in the first set.

Elliott was again the provider as a well-timed pass sent fellow former York City Knights star Ben Dent crashing over the line.

On 53 minutes, scrum-half Liam Jackson, playing on dual-reg from the Knights, put them further in front after jinking over from inside the 20-metre zone.

Jackson's day ended prematurely when he departed with a suspected broken nose from an alleged high tackle close to the corner flag which went unpunished.

Bywater went close on several occasions but were thwarted by good scrambling defence before the Black and Whites put the game to bed with 15 minutes left when Elliott blasted over from 35 metres, Deighton's fourth goal putting the result beyond doubt.

An impressive 80-minute performance in the heat by loose-forward Dave Hayes earned him Heworth's man-of-the-match award with hooker Josh Poulter giving strong support.

York Acorn 'A' fell 34-6 at Hunslet Club Parkside to remain pointless after two games.