NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC comfortably saw off cross-city rivals York Acorn ‘A’ in their play-off semi-final to keep alive hopes of a quadruple this season.

Having already won the Yorkshire Men’s League’s Forty-20 Cup and sealed the league leaders’ prize in division one with a 41-12 victory over Acorn on the last day of the regular season, All Blacks are now aiming for trophies three and four, and they secured their passage to the play-off final with a 44-26 victory at White Rose Avenue.

Player-coach Jack Stearman’s men – who are also through to the York & District Cup final against Acorn’s first team on a date to be confirmed - now meet Norland Sharks in the title showdown at Featherstone Lions’ ground this Saturday.

Jack Carling opened the scoring for All Blacks in the very first minute with a try down the right hand side, and, three minutes later, a Tom Hields try and Tom Holmes goal added to the early advantage.

Acorn pulled back a try and conversion, but touchdowns from Liam Gargan, Conor Calam, with his first of the season, set up by his own kick, Holmes and Carling, with his second of the game, plus three Holmes conversions, gave All Blacks an insurmountable lead of 32-6 going into half-time.

Four minutes after the resumption, Gargan’s kick set up Smith for his second touchdown of the game, which Holmes converted.

Acorn replied with a try, but Stearman’s riposte and Holmes’ conversion put the game well beyond the Blue and Golds in the 51st minute.

A late rally from the Thanet Road outfit saw them score three tries and one conversion and gain more respectability, but it was not enough to stop New Earswick’s progression to the final.

* THE York & District ARL presentation evening will take place on Saturday, October 28, at the South Bank Social Club, in Ovington Terrace, starting at 7.30pm.

Clubs are invited to send nominations for the York & District Open Age Player of the Year and the Eurig Thomas Unsung Hero awards. The latter is for a person behind the scenes who keeps their club ticking over. All nominations need to be received by this Saturday.