NEW Earswick All Blacks strengthened their position at the top of the Yorkshire Men’s League division one table following a 28-16 triumph over third-placed Skirlaugh Bulls.

Man-of-the-match Jack Carling bagged a brace of tries, with Tom Holmes, Tommy Hields, Sam Cooper and Sean Malarkey also crossing the line.

Holmes and Conor Calam added the extra points with their boots.

The game, which started at a frantic pace in hot conditions at White Rose Avenue, saw Holmes score after only seven minutes, before he went on to miss the conversion.

Centre Hields went on to double the lead four minutes later with his tenth try in six appearances and Holmes was successful with his kick on this occasion from the left side.

Skirlaugh hit back with a score of their own on 20 minutes, with their number nine burying his way over from dummy half and the conversion was successful.

The visitors then drew level before half-time, as a crossfield kick found their winger down the right side to touch down in the corner, while the extra points were missed.

Following a ferocious restart, utility-man Carling buried his way over from dummy half, but Holmes failed with his boot.

Nine minutes later, right-winger Cooper crashed over in the right corner to extend the All Blacks’ lead with Holmes unsuccessful from out wide.

The West Yorkshire side shifted the balance of momentum seven minutes from time, as their full-back went 80 metres to score to the right of the sticks, making the conversion a formality.

At 18-16, though, the hosts kicked into top gear, with Carling scoring his second five minutes from time, only for another unsuccessful conversion.

With two minutes to go, ever-present Malarkey scored right of the posts after taking a great pass from number six Calam, who added the extras from the tee.