A TRY and conversion two minutes from time by loose-forward and man of the match Joe Deighton earned Heworth a draw with Yorkshire Men's League division one leaders New Earswick All Blacks in a hard-fought derby at Elmpark Way.

In blustery conditions, this was an exciting topsy-turvy encounter that was full of passion, commitment and mistakes as both sides strove to gain the ascendancy.

New Earswick held a 18-6 half-time lead but the Villagers came back strongly in the second period to deservedly share the spoils.

The result saw All Blacks increase their lead at top of the table to two points with two games to go as second-placed Norland Sharks were shocked 14-12 at West Hull. Both of the top two, along with York Acorn 'A', were also given a walkover win by Mirfield Stags, who have conceded their remaining fixtures

Acorn have now risen to fourth in the table having been in the drop zone for much of the campaign, while Heworth are sixth.

New Earswick were soon into their stride in Saturday's derby, dominating the early possession, and went ahead after seven minutes with a try by prop Carl Smith that was converted by second-rower Tom Holmes.

On the quarter-hour, they doubled their advantage with a touchdown from centre Tommy Hields that was improved by Holmes.

Heworth, however, hit back 10 minutes later, with stand-off and player-coach George Elliott bursting through from 15 metres out, with Deighton adding the extras.

All Blacks continued to impress, and on 31 minutes centre Alex Wilkins was over the line - Holmes' third conversion putting them 18-6 ahead at the break.

The opening quarter of the second period turned the game, with the Villagers coming out with all guns blazing.

In the 45th minute, hooker Dave Hayes darted over from acting-half, and Deighton tagged on the goal.

Four minutes later, scrum-half Liam Jackson and centre Billy Sturdy combined to put Deighton over in the corner to bring them to within two points.

Then, on 56 minutes, Deighton turned provider after fielding an All Blacks goal-line drop-out and blasting through the defence to send Sturdy in for a try which the loose-forward goaled to put the Black and Whites ahead for the first time at 22-18.

The visitors, however, were in no mood to lie down, and responded in the 65th minute with an unconverted score by former Heworth wingman Ben Stoker after the hosts had failed to gather a high, swirling kick.

Three minutes later they went back in front, with hooker Jack Carling slicing through the line and sending supporting loose-forward Sean Malarkey racing away to touch down under the posts for Holmes to add his fourth goal and make it 28-22.

The Villagers, though, were not to be denied, and two minutes from time Jackson put Deighton over for his second try which he coolly converted to level the scores.

In the remaining period both sides threw caution to the wind in a frantic effort to achieve victory, with an attempted field goal by Elliott drifting wide.