Acorn take on the Welsh

11:59am Saturday 17th May 2008

York Acorn ARLC Under-13s were a "credit to the club and true ambassadors of the sport" on a groundbreaking tour of Wales.

They first fought a fine game against NPT Steelers from Port Talbot. They thought a fantastic comeback had earned them a draw, only to be told the referee had miscounted and the Welsh team had won. But they also discovered NPT were an older team.

On the next day they played a challenge match against Blackwood Bulldogs U13s, half of which was under rugby union rules, half under rugby league - and Acorn triumphed in style 40-16.

The first 20 minutes against NPT were even with both teams playing good rugby and scoring a converted try apiece.

The Steelers then took command to lead 30-10 with 15 minutes left. But Acorn lifted themselves and scored three tries and a conversion to fight back to 30-24 and one last big push resulted in another six-pointer to equalise at the death - only to then be told the correct score.

The team spent the rest of Saturday in Cardiff's International Swimming Pool and the following day met Blackwood.

The Bulldogs led 12-5 at half-time, Acorn having had just one union training session. But the second half saw them play some flowing rugby league and score 35 unanswered points before Blackwood managed a deserved consolation.

The Acorn players raised most of the money for the trip themselves through bag-packing in supermarkets and sponsored events.

They were kitted out in new tracksuits, polo shirts and had a new strip sponsored by Walker Plastering Contractors and Dunning Plant Hire.

Joint-coach Alan Mitchell said: "The lads were a credit to the club and true ambassadors to rugby league. They enjoyed the tour and are hoping their counterparts will visit York next season for a rematch."

New Earswick U11s put on another fantastic display against Hunslet Warriors.

Man of the match Ryan Pryce always gained good ground, while Ryan Pick gave excellent passes from acting-half enabling the forwards to run precise and strong onto the ball. Hunslet ran hard but All Blacks' defence rose to the challenge, top tackler Josh Phillips leading the way.

Dom Colley, the most improved player, was outstanding on the wing and caused Hunslet trouble with his dominating runs, but it was an excellent all-round team performance.

Good half-back play by Will Ireland and George Leatt was at the heart of fine attacking play as New Earswick U10s impressed in a 48-26 win at Thornhill.

Kieran Hamilton opened the scoring from a fine off-load by Kallum Summer-bell, Tom Benson jinked home across field, and Luke Adamson scored twice from half-back passes.

Hamilton's fantastic run and quick play-the-ball saw Tom Wilson send Nick Surtees speeding in.

Ireland touched down Leatt's chip then turned provider as Surtees finished in the corner, and Leatt dummied in after an Adamson run, before Adamson completed his hat-trick late on. Goals were added by Adamson, Leatt, George Wallace, Wilson, Cameron Harris and Kallum Summerbell with his first of the year.

New Earswick U9s showed great spirit at home against Wetherby.

The visitors arrived with only seven players compared to All Blacks' 16, so the York side lent them four, all of whom played well.

All Blacks' tries came from Mike Elders, after a well-worked move, the impressive Ben Husband, who took three defenders with him, top tackler Conor Calam, from a jinking run, tackle of the match' winner Tom Atkin, and Cameron Taylor, who darted in from acting-half after fine forward runs.

All Blacks also defended superbly, moving up well, rapping the ball up and covering for each other.

The man of the match was the tireless Brad Steele.

Sam Young scored four tries as Heworth U8s put on a super show in the Co-op Festival against local rivals York Acorn U8s and the New Earswick U8s.

Their opponents put up a spirited fight, but the Villagers' defence was magnificent with Arron Mc-Bride, Josh Rogerson, Leon Beattie, Henri Grimbley, Jack Shore, Toby Latham, and Young getting stuck in.

Joseph Brownless gave his best perfomance yet as he made valuable yardage along with Maxwell Carry and Jacob Watson.

Andrew Errington distributed well as Heworth's experience and speed told as Rogerson (3), McBride (2), Beattie (2), Carry, Grimbley, Shore, Latham and Watson, who scored his first-ever try, wrapped up the scoring over the two games.

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