New Earswick All Blacks off to flier in Pennine League (From York Press)

New Earswick All Blacks off to flier in Pennine League

10:21am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Sport By Stuart Martel, Sports editor

New Earswick All Blacks ARLC kicked off their Pennine League championship season with a well-deserved 16-12 victory at home to Wakefield side Westgate Wolves.

A minute’s silence was held at White Rose Avenue in memory of chairman Phil ‘OJ’ Johnson, who passed away two weeks ago, and the players wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

The home side were first to score on 15 minutes when Jamie Norris went over for a try and Tom Holmes converted.

The All Blacks were hauled back for a forward pass after winger Jo Stearman had touched down and Lewis Pool on the opposite wing was also denied a score by a forward pass.

Westgate scored an unconverted try, but New Earswick’s Jack Law worked hard to bag a try which Holmes converted for a 12-4 interval lead.

Westgate were on top at the start of the second half and levelled with two unconverted tries.

The visitors then began to lose their discipline and Holmes kicked two penalties for a 16-12 lead, and the All Blacks put in a strong defensive effort to keep Westgate out in the last ten minutes.

Hooker Jo Davies was outstanding, and was well supported by loose forward Jack Carling. Prop forwards Carl Barrow and Alan Davison worked tirelessly.

In division three, Selby Warriors were beaten 46-12 at Odsal Sedbergh, while Sherburn Bears trounced King Cross Park ‘A’ 68-0 in division six.