YORK Acorn ARLC 'A ' produced a devastating second-half show to thrash Hull Wyke 52-16 and continue their rise away from the Yorkshire Men's League division one drop zone.

Acorn had led only 14-8 at the break after a dour first half but they then ramped up the entertainment and overpowered their visitors.

Neither side seemed capable of holding onto the ball in a scrappy opening 10 minutes, so much so that Acorn centre Mark Sanderson decided to go on his own - doing so to great effect by smashing through the defensive line before angling out wide to score.

Scrappiness resumed with knock-on followed by knock-on followed by penalty.

Then on 20 minutes, Acorn's defence remained static allowing Wyke to build pace and cross through second-row Joe Moore. Stand-off Alec Hardie Jnr converted.

The introduction of substitute Tom Hill gave Acorn's forwards the necessary kick up the backside and it was he who put his side 8-6 ahead when going in for a 34th-minute try.

Wyke levelled just before half-time with a Hardie Jnr penalty but, from the restart, Acorn managed to get their hands on the ball and a powerful Jordan Hyde run paved the way for sub Bradley Winter to cross, full-back Josh Parker converting.

Acorn got off to a flier in the second half - setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Hill crashed in from close range two minutes in and, three minutes later, a sensational score followed - Rian Calam turning back the clock when getting on the outside of his opponent on the halfway line and racing 50 metres down the touchline.

Acorn's attack was suddenly flourishing and they notched another cracker when winger Joel Johnson raced in from 40 metres, before Chris Rushworth went over from acting-half.

Wyke benefited from some apparent obstruction by getting over the whitewash on 65 minutes through full-back Reece Preswick.

But, on 71, Harry Bromwich cut through for an Acorn try goaled by Nathan Hammerton and, soon, forward Alex Hardcastle capped an impressive display by crashing over.

Wyke scrum-half Lewis White nipped in for a 76th-minute try out wide, but Acorn had the final say on full-time as old warhorse Mike Embleton drove over from close range.

Conversions by Parker (3) and Mark Sanderson completed the scoring.

Meanwhile, New Earswick All Blacks' struggles in the premier division continued as they lost 22-12 at Bentley, while Sherburn Bears crashed 56-6 at Wyke in division four, Paul Romans getting their only try with Adam Wright adding a drop-goal.