HEWORTH ARLC staged a spirited second-half fightback to beat Cutsyke Raiders 28-18 in a hard-fought encounter in sweltering conditions at Elmpark Way.

The result put Scott Rhodes' man top of Yorkshire Men's League division one on goal-difference above Queensbury, albeit having played a game more than the former leaders.

Cutsyke capitalised on an error-strewn first-half display by the Villagers to lead 18-4 at the break, but whatever Rhodes said during the interval worked as they hit back to post four converted tries without reply and seal an unlikely victory.

There was no sign of things to come when the hosts took an early lead after only four minutes as dual-reg York City Knights scrum-half Liam Jackson put full-back Fraser West over.

The remainder of the first half belonged solely to Cutsyke, though, as Heworth pressed the self-destruct button with an inability to control possession and a concession of needless penalties costing them dear.

The Raiders went ahead on 13 minutes with a try by hooker Ryan Wagg and increased their advantage 12 minutes later when substitute Ash Cotton burst through a huge gap.

Five minutes from the break, the Villagers' failure to deal with a high attacking kick led to visiting stand-off Mac Penny snapping up the loose ball and racing round under the posts, with scrum-half Gavin Lightowler's third conversion making it 18-4.

It was a different story in the second half as the Black and Whites came out in determined mood.

On 47 minutes, sub Josh Poulter dived over from acting-half, and this ignited the hosts.

Ten minutes later, centre Gareth Watson charged onto a tap penalty 40 metres out and shrugged off several defenders to touch down for a fine individual try.

On 62 minutes, Heworth hit the front when a good handling move led to second-rower Fergus Chapman crossing.

Ten minutes from time, victory was sealed when Poulter put loose-forward Adam Speck in, Joe Deighton adding his fourth conversion.

A solid eighty minute effort by prop Liam Richmond saw him named Heworth's man of the match award with Watson and Poulter also standing out.