NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC got off the mark in the Yorkshire Men's League premier division thanks to a hard-fought 24-20 comeback victory over Lindley Swifts.

Player-coach Jack Stearman was the man of the match for the second week running as his side came back from 10-0, 16-10 and 20-16 down to bag a first victory in five league outings since their promotion last year.

The visitors went ahead with two tries and one goal but All Blacks levelled with quickfire tries from Ben Stoker and, in the next set, back-rower George Hunt, Connor Calam converting one for a 10-10 interval scoreline.

Lindley retook the lead but winger Stoker got his second try, Calam goaling, to make it 16-16.

Stoker, though, was injured in the act of scoring and All Blacks suffered another blow as full-back Ewen Coverdale also soon departed, with the Swifts again retaking the lead.

All Blacks had also lost winger Sam Cooper to a head injury in the first minute.

However, they fought on and back-row Joe Hudson levelled matters again, with Calam's conversion putting them ahead.

A late penalty sealed the win.

Stearman said: "We're delighted to get off the mark. We've deserved it.

"It was a scrappy win but hopefully we can take it forward."

There was also a fine victory for York Lokomotive in division three on Thursday night - the game brought forward so it didn't clash with Magic Weekend in Super League.

The in-form Lokos won 26-18 at Kippax Welfare, with Liam Watling coming out of retirement to get among the try-scorers.

Ricky James bagged a brace with Daryl Fogg and Will Hampshire also crossing, James adding three conversions.

Heworth had no game in division one but their 'A' team travelled to Huddersfield in division five to take on St Joseph's at the iconic old Fartown ground, and after a spirited performance in strength-sapping conditions, they went down 36-28.

Heworth opened their account on seven minutes when centre Cameron Taylor crossed after collecting a high kick from second-rower Joe Deighton who also added the conversion.

The hosts responded with tries from substitute Jason Oldfield and full-back Alan Francis both goaled by scrum-half Paul Flaherty, but Villagers scrum-half Dave Hayes restored parity on 28 minutes after pouncing on a loose ball close to the line. Deighton adding the extras.

Six minutes from the break, home centre Joe Flaherty went over for another converted score for an 18-12 half-time advantage.

Saints increased their lead five minutes into the second period through a try and conversion by Paul Flaherty but the Villagers were soon back in it as winger Arran Naismith touched down to make it 24-16.

The hosts resumed control with tries by substitute Denzil McPherson and speedy winger Luke James, Flaherty completing a perfect afternoon with the boot to give them what seemed like an unassailable lead.

The Black and Whites, however, showed plenty of character to battle back with touchdowns for Taylor and Deighton who also tagged on both conversions to reduce the deficit to eight points with six minutes left. Saints, though, held on.

Skipper Lewis Hartley was Heworth's man of the match at full-back.

New Earswick Academy narrowly lost 28-22 at home to Wetherby Bulldogs, with Scott Birch named man of the match.