A HAT-TRICK of tries from Heworth player-coach George Elliott contributed to their first victory of the new season in the Yorkshire Men's League Forty-20 Cup.

Heworth battled hard to claim a 40-28 victory at Wibsey Warriors in a game played in a howling cross wind on a difficult sloping pitch.

After a dominant first half, the Villagers led 28-4 at the break and 34-10 after 55 minutes – but then had to work extremely hard to withstand a determined fight-back by the hosts in the final quarter.

Playing down the slope, Heworth opened strongly and took the lead after four minutes following good runs by full back Fraser West and loose forward Joe Deighton, which led to centre Danny Simpson crossing in the left corner. Deighton's conversion attempt bounced back off the upright.

Three minutes later, a defence-splitting pass from stand off Ross Varley put Deighton clean through and his pass found West in support to touch down by the posts for Deighton to add the extras.

Elliott's first try came on 14 minutes from close range,and nine minutes later some slick handling saw winger Callum Worthington go over in the corner.

Elliott touched down again on 31 minutes and, with Deighton 'goaling' all three efforts, Heworth led 28-0.

Wibsey gave themselves a glimmer of hope two minutes from half time with an unconverted score from loose forward Daniel Conroy, which reduced the deficit to 28-4 at the break.

With the slope in their favour, the Warriors came out firing in the second period, and on 48 minutes lively hooker Bradley Tattersall crossed for a try goaled by scrum half Matthew Cumberworth.

Heworth, however, hit back seven minutes later through second rower Karl Reid and a Deighton conversion before the hosts responded with a touchdown by substitute Simon Kellett to which Cumberworth added the extras.

Elliott completed his hat-trick ten minutes from time, and Deighton's sixth goal made it 40-16 to the Black and Whites.

The Bradford side tested the nerves with a final flourish to register two tries in the closing five minutes from Conroy and prop Alex Stephens – both of which were converted by Cumberworth – but Heworth hung on grimly to register an excellent victory.

In a fine all-round team effort centre Lewis Worthington was awarded man of the match, with debutants Callum Worthington and Reid also catching the eye.