NEW Earswick All Blacks were left wondering how they managed to lose at Newsome Panthers after leading 22-8 with only 12 minutes left.

The York side had led from the eighth minute until the 76th, only to lose a top-of-the-table thriller 25-22.

They remain top of Pennine League division two but the Panthers are now level on points with a game in hand while Liversedge are only a point behind.

All Blacks started well playing down the slope and went ahead when an inside pass by man of the match Alan Pallis-ter sent former York Wasps team-mate Chris Judge over.

Newsome's only reply of the half was a penalty, while All Blacks stretched their lead when Judge dummied over for his second, Ben Jones goaling.

All Blacks had most of the pressure in the remainder of the first half but had to wait until five minutes after the interval to score again, Carl Pallister sending cousin Alan racing to the sticks from 20 yards, Jones goaling.

A converted try just before the hour-mark gave Newsome hope but All Blacks, for whom Jez Petch and Jim Mulroney impressed, looked to have killed the game when from the restart Alan Pallister stole the ball from the full-back to score under the sticks, Jones goaling to make it 22-8.

But a loose pass gave the home centre the chance to race the length of the field for a converted try and failure to deal with a kick brought the hosts another six-pointer.

With four minutes left, Panthers went in front for the first time with a try, and a late drop goal ended the scoring.

Updated: 10:52 Tuesday, November 30, 2004