YORK Acorn's slim hopes of promotion from the second division of the National Conference League were doused at Waterhead.

The visitors put up a brave challenge against the potential division two champions. But despite finishing strongly towards the end of each half, they found their hosts too powerful to rein in.

For the opening 20 minutes Acorn defended manfully only for Waterhead to capitalise on flowing movement to bag three tries, two of which were converted by Ryan Collins.

Seven minutes before half-time Steve Irving crossed and soon after Paul Payne did likewise, the latter goaled by Andy Gargan for a 16-10 half-time score.

Two Collins' penalties doubled the home advantage until six minutes from time when Johnny Waldron touched down. Gargan added the extras.

But with four minutes to go a Michael Fogarty drop goal sealed the home win.

New Earswick All Blacks bowed out of the GMB Union National Cup with pride intact against Leigh Miners Rangers.

The hosts meted out a 68-18 win, but the fifth round exit was no disgrace to the New Earswick outfit against one of the best amateur rugby league clubs in the country.

The All Blacks slipped behind after just four minutes when Pilkington bagged a breakaway converted try.

This was swiftly followed by another two tries to Pilkington and Cooper, which were both converted to take the score to 18-0 after 15 minutes.

The All Blacks refused to buckle and when Mark Green sold two dummies, Jamie Rhodes latched on to his pass and carried three defenders over the line with him to score. Dave Carling added the conversion.

Leigh answered this with two further tries before Carl Pallister gathered a Ben Jones kick to score with Carling converting. That put the Rangers 30-12 to the good at half-time.

Leigh started the second half in similar style to the first with quick play-the-balls and expert off-loads leading to further converted tries for Meadows and Ridgewood (2).

The blistering pace of the match started to take its toll on the All Blacks and although they looked dangerous with the ball in their hands, they had no answer to the Leigh pack led by Great Britain BARLA player Tommy Goulden.

From the subsequent ground gained, Leigh ran in a further four tries.

However, All Blacks had the last say when a clever Mark Green pass saw Carl Pallister score out wide. Carling added the extras.

Man of the match for All Blacks was Alan Pallister with strong performances from Dan Wellard, Mark Green and Jamie Rhodes, the latter topping the tackle count.

Updated: 09:40 Monday, March 28, 2005