Heworth ended their dour losing start to the season in scintillating style with a 47-10 rout of fellow strugglers Huddersfield Sharks.

The Villagers were the only side in National Conference League division two without a win before this encounter, but triumphed courtesy of an excellent second-half showing which brought 36 unanswered points.

Their recent recruitment drive seems to have paid off and the victory has given them a much-needed boost.

Spokesman Ken Sykes said: "So many of them played well you could name quite a number of players. We scored a lot of tries but the defensive effort was really sound, particularly from man of the match Carl Potter and Luke Judson. But they all worked hard and it was a complete turnaround; we blew them away really."

The Sharks themselves had begun the campaign with only two points to their name after seven games, Sykes adding: "They were not the strongest side but this has lifted us a lot."

The nip-and-tuck first half saw debutant winger Eddie Phillips give Heworth an early lead and regular try-scorer Gavin Grant also cross, with Huddersfield hitting back both times, through winger Alex Brown and Darren Simpson. Potter goaled one for Heworth and Shane Whittaker one for Huddersfield, with only a Potter drop goal separating the sides at the break.

The Villagers, however, cut loose after the interval, with the experienced Paddy Handley and fellow ex-professional half-back Nicky Dobson showing up well.

Grant crossed for his second try to open the floodgates, which saw Nikki Wilson and substitute Wayne Foster both go over twice, Phillips grab his second and Potter complete a 15-point personal tally with a try of his own.

Updated: 10:42 Monday, October 25, 2004