NEW EARSWICK All Blacks went down 24-8 to King Cross Park at White Rose Avenue in the Pennine League Championship.

In freezing conditions, head coach Jack Stearman and his men were trailing by four points after five minutes as King Cross Park went over in the corner but missed the subsequent conversion.

Having then defended three sets on their own line, the visitors grabbed another try with a shift move from right to left which allowed them to score on the edge of the pitch.

The touchline conversion was again missed but King Cross led 8-0.

All Blacks momentarily woke up with good defence, followed by confident play, seeing New Earswick go close.

But their revival was short-lived. They failed to complete their sets as the ball fell from hands and passes missed their targets.

New Earswick came out in the second half knowing the game was still within their reach and that a converted try would almost put them level. They were crushed, though, when King Cross scored the opening try of the second period - and converted it - to lead 14-0 after 48 minutes.

The visitors would then score twice more before All Blacks were able to get off the mark.

Pete Richie opened his account for the season with good power, and even better grounding, with two defenders trying to turn him over. After they missed the conversion, they still trailed 24-4.

They would have the last say in the encounter, though, with man of the match Jack Carling powering over. Again they failed to make the kick and, with 12 minutes still remaining, the scoring was over.

Stearman's men have endured a rough start to the season and are bottom of the Championship with five games played.