NEW Earswick ARLFC moved up to third in the Pennine League Championship after a 20-12 victory over Batley Boys.

After withstanding ten minutes of pressure - fended off by sterling defensive work - All Blacks took the lead when Jack Stearman powered his way over from 30 metres to score under the posts with Liam Gargan adding the extras.

A kick through from Tom Barron was fumbled by Batley and Jack Sinclair collected to score with Gargan again successful with the boot.

Batley hit back with a converted try just before half-time to narrow the gap to 12-6.

Early in the second half, Batley levelled the scores with a converted try but All Blacks regained their lead when Gargan converted a penalty.

In a nail-biting last 30 minutes adventurous rugby by the All Blacks was rewarded. Carl Smith spotted a big gap in the Batley line to cross in the last minute. Gargan was again reliable with the conversion.

The last-gasp triumph capped one of All Blacks’ best performances of the season against a big experienced side.

All Blacks man of the match was Barron backed up well by Gargan, Stearman and Smith.

In division four, the long-awaited clash between Selby Warriors and Sherburn Bears - they had not met before in the league and their last clash was in a cup tie 11 years earlier - ended with hosts Selby winning 29-12.

A fiery derby saw the Warriors with one player sin-binned and two Sherburn players sin-binned with another sent off.

The extra man, allied to Selby’s excellent set completion and shrewd kicking game, proved critical.

Selby try-scorers were Michael Wassel, David Makin, Wayne Fennel, David Watkinson and Jon Broadhurst. Watkinson added four goals and there was a drop goal from Fennel.

Sherburn’s tries came from Lloyd Harrison and Connor Jordan with two goals from Leahy.

Best for the Warriors was veteran forward Mark Hanson who excelled in defence.

Best for the Bears, who also had Deville and Jordan carried from the field with nasty injuries, was Elmet Driver.