ANTHONY Chilton inspired York Acorn to a 32-18 York ARL Community Cup final win over long-time rivals New Earswick All Blacks at Thanet Road.

Acorn may have been the eventual victors, but a youthful All Blacks side can be proud of their committed display which so nearly unseated Acorn's title as York's top amateur side.

Once again, Acorn were slow out of the blocks and New Earswick had built an eight-point lead by the 10th minute thanks to right-winger Dan Smith 's unconverted try out from out wide and left-centre George Hunt's from the opposite flank.

Acorn responded after 18 minutes when Chilton took a quick tap-penalty and raced through to score beside the posts and convert.

The hosts had the upper hand and All Blacks were penned in on their own try line, but a kicked clearance into space near the halfway line saw New Earswick turn defence into attack, with Ben Stoker crossing and Connor Calam converting.

On the half-hour, Acorn lessened the deficit to four points when second-rower Matthew Woods crashed over for an unconverted try and they edged in front on the stroke of half-time when fast hands saw full-back Ryan Gallacher squeeze in at the right-hand corner, with Chilton adding the extras.

In the second period, Acorn were beginning to gain momentum and their dominance finally showed on the scoreboard by virtue of a try from outstanding second-rower Reece Rushworth, with Chilton again kicking over.

There were a couple of flash points in the physical contest which saw Acorn's Luke Swales and Brandon Harris sin-binned as well as New Earswick's Adam Caddie.

With the numerical advantage, New Earswick reduced Acorn's lead to 22-18 when the impressive George Hunt scored an unconverted try out wide on their right, but Acorn regrouped and their extra experience showed in the latter stages, starving New Earswick of any quality possession in the Acorn half.

The home side took control of the game and, after a period of pressure, secured the game in the 72nd minute when Chilton produced a piece of class to throw a dummy and race through for an unconverted try.

Swales and Harris, fresh from the sin bin, combined to create the final score with five minutes remaining, the former putting boot to ball after a 30-metre run and Harris crossing for Chilton to convert.