A POWERFUL second-half showing saw York Acorn warm up for next weekend's Challenge Cup tie at Myton Warriors with a 34-10 friendly win over Skirlaugh.

Acorn picked a 19-man squad for this home pre-season game played in memory of Katie Rough.

Acorn made heavy weather of the first half, forcing the pass too often and coughing up too much possession, meaning their completion rate was below par at 50 per cent.

Skirlaugh got on the scoreboard first on 11 minutes when they attacked the Acorn left edge defence to create a numerical advantage before squeezing in at the corner for a converted score.

Acorn had plenty of chances to get on the scoreboard but twice they knocked on over the line, and on another occasion Hayden Barber appeared to get the ball down for a try, but was adjudged to have been held up.

The hosts finally got the try their efforts deserved on 35 minutes when Joe Budd put Elliott Bulmer into the gap and he raced over from 10 yards out. Anthony Chilton added the extras to tie the scores up.

The visitors hit back before half-time when they managed to get the ball out wide, and one of their wingers nipped in at the corner for an unconverted try to put them 10-6 to the good.

After the resumption, Acorn were a different proposition, thanks mainly to their improved completion rate and virtually non-existent penalty count.

On 45 minutes, Acorn edged in front when a Tim Elliott pass saw Barber hit the hole perfectly to crash over for a converted try and a 12-10 lead.

Acorn moved further in front on 50 minutes when scrum half Matthew Chilton received the ball 40 metres out and jinked his way over to score an unconverted try.

The blue and golds' next score came on 56 minutes when a sweeping passing move saw Harris go in from 30 yards out and touch down for another Chilton goaled try.

Acorn's next score came on 73 minutes and proved to be the game's magic moment.

It started with a clearing Skirlaugh kick upfield, which was picked up off his boots by Dan Lazenby. He instinctively slipped a pass to the supporting Ryan Gallacher – despite being hit by a Skirlaugh tackler.

Gallacher then weaved his way past an array of 'tacklers' to score a try down the Acorn right-hand channel. Chilton added the extras to give Acorn an unassailable 28-10 advantage.

Acorn's final score came shortly after. Chilton put Harry Bromwich into a huge hole on the halfway line and Bromwich raced 30 metres down the left channel before passing inside to Gallacher to race in for a try.

Chilton added the conversion, giving Acorn a convincing 34-10 win.