A SUCKER punch deep into injury time cost New Earswick All Blacks Rugby League Club the Yorkshire League division one spoils as they lost 26-25 at leaders Batley Boys.

All Blacks, with hooker Alan Pallister superb and Steve Perks and Tom Coomber pushing him for the man of the man award, had led 25-20 as the clock ticked down, only for the hosts to push the ball out wide from a scrum and score near the corner. The conversion was successfully goaled just before the hooter sounded.

Batley stormed into a 18-4 lead, which was cut to 18-14 by half-time.

The hosts scored two converted tries, the first from a kick through and the second also under the posts, to sandwich All Blacks' reply scored by Pallister, who crashed over from acting-half, and they extended their lead with another converted touchdown.

New Earswick hit back when full-back Perks broke 40 metres following a scrum to score under the posts, with Adie Robinson converting.

Robinson dummied his way over just before the break and All Blacks were level on 52 minutes when Pallister stole the ball in a one-on-one tackle and from the play-the-ball the ball was passed out to Perks, who put Matt Godfrey over in the corner.

The York side pressed but were unable to score and Batley hit back on 70 minutes with a penalty for back-chatting to the referee.

Four minutes later, with Batley again pressing, teenager winger Tom Perks - Steve's brother - took an interception on his own line to race the length of the field to give All Blacks the lead for the first time, which was extended by Robinson's goal from under the posts.

Robinson added a drop goal three minutes later to leave Batley needing a try plus goal to win it but, with an away victory in sight, the hosts hit back.

Selby Warriors conceded their division two match at Stanningley Crown, as reported last week, while in division three, Heworth 'A' lost 44-12 at Garforth.

York Groves player-coach Simon Moat was delighted as his side put behind them a run of defeats to beat Pennine League fellow strugglers Wyke 46-6.

Danny Battle scored two tries and there was one each from John Thompson, Paul Scott, Jim Owens, Graham Bird, Paul Marshall and Paul Watson. Jason Dunn kicked eight conversions.

New Earswick under-11s lost 34-14 to Drighlington, though the score does not reflect the quality of All Blacks' play.

Chris Chaplin, Mathew Gell and Ian Mcleod each scored a try and Adam Smith scored a goal. The whole team were given the man of the match award for their all-round display.

Updated: 11:06 Tuesday, March 25, 2003