A DROP in standards resulted in York Acorn ARLC crashing 28-18 at West Hull in the National Conference League.

The Blue and Golds were unable to match the performance that toppled premier division leaders Thatto Heath the previous weekend.

The visitors paid the price for having to do too much tackling, especially in the first half, and turning over easy ball to their opponents.

Wests hit the front on two minutes when Paul Shaw charged onto a short pass from a play the ball. Scott Spaven had an easy conversion.

Acorn hit back on nine minutes when Leigh Rientoul got over for a try wide out on an overlap.

The visitors then scored the try of the match straight from the restart as a superb angled run from Joel Johnson created a gap for Arran Thompson. He galloped 40 metres before sending Rientoul over under the posts. Antony Chilton converted.

It took until the 33rd minute for Wests to reply but, with Acorn starved of possession, the inevitable happened when Tom Radley crossed and Spaven goaled for a two-point half-time lead.

Wests started the second half strongly and created an overlap on 42 minutes as winger Sam Watson went in at the corner.

The game breaker came on 44 minutes when centre Danny Swales gave an audacious side step at a play the ball to race over from 60 metres. Spaven again had an easy conversion.

Acorn refused to give in and Joe Porter’s strength down the right hand side saw him go in for a good score on 66 minutes.

Wests restored the advantage on 68 minutes when Ryan Morrow ended a flowing move, Spaven again converting. Acorn had the last say on 72 minutes when Rientoul fed Thompson to go over in the corner.

Adam Endersby took the man of the match award with Rientoul, Ash Robson and Matt Withers also giving good accounts of themselves.

Acorn will be aiming to avenge this defeat with the return fixture at Thanet Road on Saturday.

A makeshift Heworth side went down 50-6 at title-chasing Blackbrook in division three.

The Villagers, who only travelled with 15 players, were trailing 26-0 when stand-off Tom Barron intercepted on half way and stormed away to touch down. Barron’s conversion made it 26-6 at half-time.

The hosts took their tally to ten tries after the break, despite the efforts of Heworth man of the match Adam Withington.