HEWORTH ground out a hard fought 30-20 success at Normanton Knights 'A' in Yorkshire Mens League division two.

The Villagers, with a considerable slope and a strong breeze in their favour, led 24-10 at the break but had to withstand a determined second half fight-back by the hosts.

The Knights had reduced the deficit to 24-20 going into the final quarter before Heworth finally sealed the match with a converted try ten minutes from time.

Normanton took an early lead in the third minute with a try by scrum-half Rob Culshaw converted by centre Mike Firth.

Heworth levelled six minutes later with a touchdown from centre Ben Stoker, goaled by Joe Deighton. On 13 minutes, Stoker was over again in the corner after some slick handling and Deighton slotted a fine touchline conversion.

The home side hit back, though, with an unconverted try by full-back Steve Parkinson to reduce the deficit to 12-10.

The Villagers went further ahead on the half hour mark when stand-off Tom Barron dummied his way over from 15 metres out and Deighton once again added the extras.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Stoker completed his hat-trick after following up a clearing kick by Deighton from inside his own twenty metre area and racing away to score. Deighton put the Black and Whites 14 points clear at the turnaround.

But the second period proved an uphill struggle for Heworth. The Knights registered second touchdowns for both Culshaw and Parkinson on 52 and 57 minutes respectively, one of which was goaled by Firth to close the gap to 24-20.

Heworth responded with some resolute defence and clinched victory ten minutes from the final whistle with scrum-half Ross Varley jinking over under the posts direct from acting-half and Deighton slotting his fifth conversion.

Heworth 'A' picked up their first win of the season in the Yorkshire Mens League entry division when they beat Bentley 'A' 42-34 at Elm Park Way.

The Villagers raced into an early 16-0 lead with tries from Kenny Strangeway, Paul Watson and Dean Smith - two of which Gary Watkinson converted - before Bentley replied with three unconverted tries.

Watson added his second touchdown, goaled by Jordan Bracewell, to give the hosts a 22-12 lead at the break.

Doncaster-based Bentley got into their stride in the second half and led 34-22 going into the final quarter. But Heworth, well led by veteran Sam Clarke and coach Joe Murphy showed great spirit to fight back and add 20 points with three tries.

Scores from Mike Welsh, a second for Smith and Watkinson plus four good goals from Bracewell saw Heworth home.