A COMMITTED performance was not enough as under-strength York Acorn ARLC crashed to a 28-16 defeat at East Hull in the National Conference premier division.

The Blue and Golds must now pick themselves up for their Thanet Road meeting with Siddal tomorrow (6.45pm) as they remain deep in the relegation mire.

They were again missing several first-team regulars against Easts, and it was the home side who opened the scoring in the ninth minute when scrum-half Carl Puckering regathered a kick and scored wide out.

A good passing move saw centre Jamie Edwards score in the corner five minutes later and loose-forward Jordan Precious goaled for a 10-0 lead.

A heavy defeat looked on the cards when winger Gary King scored a cracking try after some excellent interplay and Precious goaled to make it 16-0 on 22 minutes.

However, Acorn’s spirited display was rewarded in the 26th minute when a Kenny Shepherd pass put Kyle Palmer through a gap to score and Shepherd goaled.

On the half hour, hooker Scott Partis touched down and Precious goaled for a 22-6 half-time lead.

Acorn took the spoils in the second period, but not before East Hull second-row Ian Madley had gone over for a converted try on 48 minutes.

Acorn had chances to get back in the game, but excellent tackling kept them at bay until the 78th minute, when Danny Caldwell barged over.

Then, after more pressure, Karl Harton crossed and Shepherd converted.

Outstanding for Acorn were Lee Frank, Shepherd, Nick Speck and Tom Hill.

Meanwhile, division two basement side Heworth were whitewashed 30-0 at home by Ovenden.

The visitors led 16-0 at half-time after tries by Brett Durkin, Will Midgley and Liam Walsh, plus two conversions from Luke Sandland.

Brett Steel, Chris Geoghan and Matthew Collins crossed in the second half and Matthew Turner kicked a penalty.

Stand-off Chris Varley’s workrate for the Villagers received good support from loose-forward Adam Jones, player-coach Chris Smith and hooker Liam Ryan.