NEW Earswick All Blacks showed their superiority over York Acorn 'A' to claim the York and District Cup yesterday at Heworth's Elmpark Way home.

Acorn did their best to transform their fortunes in the second half, effectively winning the second 40 14-12 - but a powerful and one-sided All Blacks in the first half made the difference as they won 36-20.

All Blacks captain Jez Petch broke the deadlock after four minutes as he powered over the line following relentless early pressure on the Acorn line and Ben Jones duly converted his first of six successful kicks.

Star man Jones, who deservedly picked up the player of the match award after 80 minutes, created the second after gift-wrapping a dummy for the Acorn line and then passing wide out to wing man Matt Godfrey to crash over.

Jojo Hnesh then made it 16-0 as the All Blacks started to hit cruise control with less than 20 minutes gone.

With 26 minutes gone, Acorn had yet to find a way into the All Blacks 20 but once they did, they certainly made the most of it as Carl Palmer scrabbled over the line from some good work by Paul Sawyer to install some hope in the Acorn hearts, Steve Waldron making it six.

But it was the All Blacks who had the final say of the half as Godfrey added another to his personal tally from a pass left by Petch making it 24-6 at half time.

Some resolute words at half time spurred Acorn on to a much improved second half with increased possession leading to a 59th minute penalty try when Palmer was deliberately tripped on the line, and Waldron couldn't miss to close the gap to 12 points.

The resolute All Blacks got back into gear with a great try by full back Phil Turpin from an inch-perfect low kick into the in-goal, which Jones again followed up with a great kick.

Palmer rounded off a hat-trick four minutes later to make it 30-16 but the All Blacks continued to press and Lee Nelson clambered over the line with Jones' boot making it 36-16.

Ben Hudson ran over a final try deep into stoppage time for Acorn but it wasn't enough in a match led by the All Blacks from start to finish.

Eddie Loftus, Spen Allison and Bob Bradford made the presentations to the teams at the end.

Updated: 11:04 Tuesday, May 04, 2004