TRIES from departing ace Ellena Powell, Owen Bassett, Ritesh Gurung, Kai Elston Smith and Luke Prenty ensured New Earswick All Blacks under-11s enjoyed a comfortable home win against Sherburn Bears.

Bassett and Gurung set the ball rolling with near full length-of-the-pitch efforts before Powell scooted in at the top-left corner after throwing a dummy to the right which pulled the Bears over enough to sneak in.

A third try of the season was then provided by Elston Smith and powerhouse Prenty crossed over the whitewash to complete the scoring.

Powell later received the opposition’s player-of-the-game award, while Joshua Walton took the most improved accolade following some devastating runs and the magic moment prize went to Smith for taking several testing high balls.

A superb captain’s display from Dan Cannon earned him the player-of-the-match honours while Prenty again received the top tackler award.

Powell, the team’s last remaining girl player, will now be looking to sign off on a winning note when the team take on Hunslet Parkside today.

The match will be the last she can play in as mixed boys and girls teams are not permitted in older age groups. Powell originally joined All Blacks in 2008 at the age of five but had to wait until June 2009 before she could sign on.

She played her first game for the emerging eights against Kippax Welfare and helped the team to their first win of the season.

Powell has been coached down the years by the likes of Andy Starkey, Andy Precious, her dad Mick Powell, Wayne Lea and, most recently, Andy Prenty and Michael Douglas.

A farewell disco will be held after today’s match in conjunction with the club’s presentation evening. On Powell’s contribution to All Blacks, a club spokesperson said: “Ellena will be remembered by lots of opposition teams, especially the likes of Hunslet Parkside and Sherburn Bears.

“She has also taken lots of stick from other teams but, with help from her team-mates, stood her ground. She will be greatly missed not just because of her rugby, but because of the polite girl and young lady she is.”