Ladbrokes Challenge Cup: York Acorn 28 Distington 10

YORK Acorn are in the hat for tomorrow night's third-round draw in Wrexham, and the tantalising prospect of a derby against York City Knights!

A sizeable crowd turned up at Thanet Road to watch two very determined teams, with Distington – overshadowed by more successful amateur teams in Cumbria – travelling for four hours in their bid to claim a National Conference League Premier Division scalp.

However, it was the hosts who made the better start, capitalising on a third-minute error by the visitors to move the ball wide for Antony Chilton, who not only scored but converted his try.

Both teams then played attractive rugby in turn to keep their supporters entertained, only strong defences preventing any further score.

Distington were enterprising, and were rewarded when Aiden Worthington showed his juggling skills before gathering the ball and ploughing over to score.

An unsuccessful kick meant that Acorn held a 6-4 advantage, and that was how it remained until the last play of the half, Chilton electing to take two points from a penalty under the posts.

The guessing game as to which side would take control continued in the second half but Acorn began to get the upper hand.

It needed another Distington error though to give Tom Hill the opportunity to find a rare gap in the visitors' defence in the 51st minute, Chilton again adding the extras.

Acorn now were gaining in confidence and started to dominate, quick hands from Nick Speck at dummy half giving Daryl North the chance to bulldoze his way over seven minutes later.

In the 66th minute, that home confidence was on show again, Jack Byrnes breaking the line to make good yards before offloading for centre Jordan Myers to score.

Two minutes later, Acorn's purple patch continued with the best try of the game, with the hosts again opening up the defence, great support play among the backs allowing Jake Calam to finish things off, with Chilton adding the kick.

Plucky Distington rallied for the last ten minutes, however, and were rewarded with a second try for Worthington in the 72nd minute, Scott George improving the score, although Acorn's lack of commitment in defence should be noted,

Man of the match for the home side was Joe Porter, who showed his power in defence and attack.