HEWORTH ARLC fought out a 22-22 draw with Elland ‘A’ in a gripping encounter in Yorkshire Men’s League division two at Elm Park Way.

The Villagers, who led 10-6 at the break, have been involved in a number of close encounters in recent weeks and this result was in question until the final whistle.

Heworth started strongly, racing into a 10-0 lead with a brace of tries by hooker Lewis Worthington in the opening eight minutes.

The first saw him scooting over direct from acting half-back and his second effort came when he got on the the end of an impressive handling move.

Loose forward Joe Deighton added one conversion.

The visitors hit back three minutes later with a touchdown from prop Chris Lee, improved by centre Danny Rishworth.

Elland went in front after five minutes of the second period with a try by substitute David Battye, goaled by Rishworth.

Heworth regained the lead on 64 minutes when scrum-half Jordan Bracewell squeezed over from close range and Deighton added the extras.

It was nip and tuck and the visitors were ahead again five minutes later through speedy winger Ross Balmer, with Rishworth adding his third conversion. The same player touched down on 74 minutes to make it 22-16.

The Villagers blasted back four minutes later with the try of the match after centre Danny Simpson broke away from inside his own half and handed on to second rower Lewis Turley, whose return pass sent Simpson racing away to score. With Deighton kicking the conversion, the match was level at 22-22.

The hosts went close to sneaking it in injury time with Simpson just failing to ground the ball over the line after hacking on a loose ball from near halfway. A long-range drop goal effort from Gary Watkinson drifted wide of the posts in the final seconds.

Worthington was Heworth’s man of the match for his non-stop display, with substitute Harry Fogg and skipper Chris Varley also prominent.

Heworth ‘A’ played their first game of the season in the Yorkshire Men’s League entry division but, despite a good start, went down 44-30 at home to Methley Royals.

The Villagers led 18-16 at the break with tries from Darryl Fogg, Aaron Naismith, Sean Brough and Joe Murphy, with Fogg adding one goal.

In the final ten minutes, the Royals pulled clear with two converted tries.

Brough and Steve Tait touched down for Heworth and Ollie Radford added two goals.