YORK Acorn ARLC's pre-season preparations received another dent after they lost 24-18 in a friendly to Stanningley.

The National Conference division one outfit are looking to find winning ways ahead of the league campaign, after they were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by division two side Askam last week.

But there was no major morale boost here against another third tier side, barring improvements in the second quarter and some moments of class.

Spokesman Paul Lumby said: "Our performance proved to be a bit of a curate's egg, with moments of poor play, especially in the opening stages, combined with moments of quality.

"We know we will need to improve greatly still, as we continue to rebuild a team that has seen plenty of personnel changes during the off-season."

The opening 15 minutes at Thanet Road continued on from last week's poor showing as Acorn made the same mistakes in defence, including too many missed one-on-one tackles.

Tormentors in chief were stand-off Niall Murphy, scrum-half Jack Sykes and full-back Jack Smith as Stanningley, aided by missed tackles around the half-way line, built an 18-0 lead with three converted tries inside 15 minutes.

Acorn managed to stem the tie and hit back on 18 minutes when good approach play involving centre Ryan Gallacher ended with stand-off Antony Chilton spinning out of the tackle to score a try he also goaled.

Then came a stunning 55-metre try by winger Callum Worthington on 25 minutes, following good approach play involving second-rower Reece Rushworth and Gallacher near the half-way line.

Worthington took the ball and weaved his way into and away from several defenders on a mazy run to the line.

Chilton added the conversion to cut the deficit to 18-12.

The momentum was with Acorn at this point and they equalised with an excellent team try on 37 minutes.

Quick hands in the opposition's 20 switched the ball from right to left and the passing fluency created space out wide for winger Josh Thompson to go over unopposed, Chilton goaling.

The second half saw both sides tighten up defensively with chances at a premium.

However, another missed tackle from a show and go ultimately decided the outcome as the visitors flooded through to notch a fourth converted score.

Acorn rallied and went close a few times but were thwarted by last-ditch defending.

The Blue and Golds' standout performers were centre Gallacher, who impressed in both attack and defence, second-rower Reece Rushworth, who stood up in defence, and sub forward Tom Fitzsimons, who injected some steel off the bench.

Meanwhile, four tries from centre Luke Swales helped York Acorn 'A' beat Stanningley 'A' 28-10 - giving new coach Josh Mortimer a pleasing debut.

Acorn's other points came from a try by forward Alex Hardcastle to go with four conversions from the cultured boot of stand-off Dan Lazenby.

The visitors' two tries came as a result of defensive blunders from Chris Rushworth.

Top performers for the Blue and Golds' second string, Swales apart, were scrum-half Nathan Hammerton in defence and prop forward Daryl North in general play.

Robbie Langstaff impressed on his debut, while former first-teamer Jordan Hyde continued his return to the sport after several years out and showed up well early on in the centres.