YORK Acorn were blown away on a blustery day – losing 41-16 to Pilkington Recs in their National Conference premier division clash.

Pilks opened the scoring on six minutes when prop Jamie Smith crashed over despite Acorn's desperate attempts to prevent the score. A conversion from Greg Smith ensured it was an early 6-0 advantage for the visitors.

Acorn responded well, however, with Jordan Myers being the recipient of some good ball control to score in the corner. A touchline conversion from Antony Chilton brought the scores level.

Pilkington’s second try came on 18 minutes, with their forwards setting up a great platform for full back Ryan Hilliard to run the perfect line through to the try-line. Greg Smith was again successful with the boot.

Acorn came back again, though, attacking well then forcing a mistake from Pilks after the turnover.

Josh Mortimer came close and a quick play the ball found Myers to cross for his second. Chilton was unable to convert the try, which kept Pilks in front by two points.

As half-time approached, Acorn's defence showed signs of apathy, being slow to react and Pilks' Hilliard found an easy path to the line to make the score 18-10 to his side at the break.

The away side came out in the second half determined to better use the wind, kicking a 40-20 in their first set.

And five minutes in Acorn's defence was again absent, allowing hooker Ryan Liptrot to slip through virtually unchallenged.

Pilks continued to turn Acorn around with another 40-20. This time Jamie Smith was able to step through a lacklustre defence for his second try of the afternoon.

Acorn rallied on 53 minutes, finding another gear, and threatened for the first time in the half, with centre Ryan Gallacher taking on the defence and winning. Unfortunately, that was to be Acorn's first and last threat to Pilkington of the half.

On 62 minutes, second row Mike Briody had a walk in and that was repeated five minutes later by scrum half Kyran Knapper.

Acorn managed to keep the visitors out for the remaining ten minutes but the icing on the cake came from a drop goal from Greg Smith to make the final score 41-16 in favour of the visitors.

York Acorn 'A', meanwhile, slipped to 28-56 home defeat against second placed West Bowling in the Yorkshire Mens League premier division.