A DISASTROUS start proved costly for Heworth ARLC as they lost 32-6 at Elland in National Conference division two.

The Villagers, who are second from bottom and battling against re-election, trailed 20-0 after 20 minutes and 32-0 at half-time before fighting back to boss the second half.

The opening quarter of the game was the Oliver Fairbank show, the Elland winger grabbing four tries in a stunning spell.

He scored in the first minute and crossed for a second six minutes later, with Jack Fairbank converting the second try.

The wing man was at it again in the 15th minute to complete his hat-trick and a fourth touch down followed on 20 minutes, the latter converted again by Jack Fairbank.

Heworth second-rower John Coulson was sin-binned on 27 minutes, but his side looked to have struck back with a try from full-back Chris Smith, but the player-coach was pulled back for a forward pass in the build-up.

Three minutes before half-time, Elland centre Ben Hinsley went over and on the hooter prop James Fairbank crossed, with Jack Fairbank converting both for a 32-0 interval lead.

The Villagers got on the scoreboard in the 47th minute when centre Marcus Allan went over after a 40-metre surge to the line, with winger Dan Craig kicking the conversion.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes said: “We showed a battling spirit, which will hopefully help us between now and the end of the season.”

Smith led from the front for the visitors, whose man of the match was stand-off Chris Varley.

Second-rower Coulson and loose-forward Carl Potter also impressed for the York side.

Meanwhile, York Acorn crashed out of the BARLA National Cup after a 36-10 defeat at Fryston in the third round.

CMS Yorkshire League side Fryston, who are also through to the Challenge Cup third round, will host Widnes St Maries in round four on Saturday, March 12.

sport@thepress.co.uk