NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC Under-12s were missing four regulars but still maintained their unbeaten record in Yorkshire Junior League division four with a 28-19 win over a decent Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks side.

All Blacks were quickly 12-0 up through tries by Luke Prenty and Ritesh Gurung, and then some great handling and passing saw the ball reach fleet-footed winger Owen Bassett to break from the half-way line and speed over to make it 18-0.

Sheffield hit back after a series of penalties to cut the gap to 18-6 at the interval and they scored again after the restart.

The in-form Gunes Simsek powered over for his second try in two weeks, giving the All Blacks some breathing space, but some quick-thinking saw Sheffield get back on the scoreboard with a drop goal.

The crucial next try came from the prolific Gurung, sealing victory before Sheffield bagged a late consolation try.

In the absence of goal-kicker Sam Briggs, Lewis Young stepped up to the plate and booted four conversions from five.

Prenty was the top tackler again, Isaac Elmer took the magic moment award for his effort in taking a high ball from kick-off, powerhouse prop Dan Cannon was the parents’ player of the match, Gurung the man of the match and Simsek the most improved.

Heworth U9s played a full part in some thrilling games during the Castleford Tigers Community Gala - but endured too much late agony.

They went down by one try to Lock Lane, Featherstone Lions and Kippax, with lapses in defence costing them in two of the matches with last-minute tries conceded. All the games ebbed and flowed and involved great skill and some fierce defending, and the Villagers later got their reward with victory over Brotherton Bulldogs and a draw with Fryston, where again the opposition crossed the whitewash with the last play of the match.

Team spokesman Alfie Brown said: “The players deserve massive credit for the level of performance over the day. They played some excellent rugby against good opponents. “The whole squad can take many positives as they continue to have a superb season.”