York Acorn Amateur Rugby League Club 'A' team won their derby match against Selby Warriors at Thanet Road to increase their lead in at the top of Pennine League division five.

The game was much closer than the 32-14 scoreline suggested, especially in the first half, which ended 12-8 in Acorn's favour.

The outcome was in doubt for a long time but, with half-back pairing Stephen Waldron and Craig Fox pulling the strings for Acorn and prop Ben Hodgson and centre Stephen Irving proving willing runners, the Blue and Golds took control of the second half to record their fourth straight win.

Acorn tries came from Chris Caulfield (2), Waldron (2), Rich Warren and Paul Sawyer, who capitalised on a brilliant weaving run by full-back John Tattersfield, who evaded several would-be tacklers when returning the ball from behind his own try line. Fox rounded off their scoring with four goals.

The Warriors, for who Brian Dixon starred, were far from disgraced and finished the game thinking they can reverse the scores when the teams next meet.

Selby had torn into the Acorn pack with forwards Ramskill, Bob Hardy and Sean Barker setting good example, and Wayne Fennel scored a penalty, a try and conversion in the first half.

Veteran Selby forward Andy Moore then had a touchdown controversially disallowed and this was a big turning point, as were injuries to Hardy and full-back Andy Germaine because, with an inexperienced bench, the Warriors' options were limited.

This resulted in a slack 15 minutes for Selby when Acorn scored four tries without reply, though in the last ten the depleted team showed fighting spirit to cross through Bardauskas.

Updated: 10:18 Tuesday, October 07, 2003