YORK Acorn ARLC bounced back up to second in National Conference League division two after a 30-14 victory over lowly Huddersfield Sharks.

That result, coupled with defeats for Waterhead and Ince Rosebridge, saw Dave Kay's men leapfrog both and return to the promotion zone going in to the season's half-way point.

And with leaders Eastmoor likely to lose a few key players once the professional season starts early next year, there are many twists and turns ahead.

Tries by Kyle Palmer, Steve Irving and Michael Fitzsim-mons plus two Kev Brundrett goals gave Acorn a healthy 16-0 lead at the interval. The second half proved even as the Blue and Golds tailed off but at no point did the Sharks threaten a real comeback.

They scored first after the break through a Sean Richard-son try and Richard Flookes goal, but Acorn hit back at the double through Andy Henson and Andy Gargan, Brundrett goaling one. Huddersfield crossed twice more, via Chris Lodge and Flookes, but the Blue and Golds had the last word as BARLA Under-21 win-ger Johnny Waldron flew in.

Kay, whose side also had three tries disallowed, said: "It was comfortable, probably more so than the scoreline suggests. We dropped off a bit in the last 20 and we also bombed one or two chances."

Heworth might be improving but their luck continued in the same vain as they lost 30-14 at Stanningley. They again made a game of it only to come a cropper in the second half, though the final scoreline probably flattered the hosts.

Sam Clarke crossed in the first period and Carl Potter added two goals as the York side, for whom half-back Paddy Handley was going well, trailed only 10-8 at the interval. Potter then levelled with another two-pointer and the visitors' hopes were raised.

However, Stanningley found momentum, with a penalty followed by two tries putting them back in command.

Heworth did not give up as prolific winger Gavin Grant scored but the game was dead once the hosts crossed again with two more goals added.

Stanningley's tries came from Pauls Smith and Robinson (2), Chris Rouse and Ross Barnard, with Stuart McGill adding five goals.

Heworth spokesman Ken Sykes said: "We were in the game but made too many mistakes and they punished us."

Updated: 11:45 Monday, November 29, 2004