York Acorn ARLC fire up title push (From York Press)

York Acorn ARLC fire up title push

10:31am Monday 10th September 2012 in Rugby League

A SUPERB 24-18 away win for York Acorn ARLC at leaders Hunslet Warriors blew the National Conference League division one title race wide open.

The second-placed Blue and Golds now trail the table-toppers by only a point with a game in hand after a performance full of endeavour and determination. Warriors started the stronger and Acorn had to withstand some early pressure, but managed to keep their line intact.

The deadlock was broken on 17 minutes when a move down the short side saw Joe Burns crash over. Acorn stretched the lead five minutes later after a short Danny Caldwell pass put Joel Johnson into a gap for a good try.

Warriors hit back on 26 minutes when centre Chris Hartley rounded off a flowing move directly from a scrum. Full-back Gary McClelland goaled.

On 33 minutes, Acorn’s Matthew Woods carried two tacklers over the line to score, but the hosts hit back on the stroke of half-time when prop Liam Gale scored at the side of the posts and McClelland tagged on the extras. There was still time for Joe Burns to slot a penalty to give Acorn a slender interval lead.

In the second half, Acorn struck first on 45 minutes when hooker Kevin Brayshaw bounced off an upright to go over, and Burns goaled.

Ten minutes later, Warriors winger Lee West scored wide out and McClelland goaled, but Adam Endersby’s 60th-minute score kept Acorn out in front. Joe Porter was man of the match.

Meanwhile, Heworth turned in a spirited display in a 36-22 home defeat by Eastmoor Dragons in division two.

The Villagers made a poor start, trailing 22-0 after 20 minutes, but hit back with tries by John Laverack, Mike Welsh, Jack Hodgson and Luke Campbell.

Tom Barron kicked three conversions.