New Earswick All Blacks continued their push for promotion by beating Upton 26-14 at White Rose Avenue.

All Blacks opened the scoring on the minutes when John Leach showed great strength to break free of a tackle and feed Alan Pallister who went over between the posts. Ian Calpin added the conversion.

The game was a forward battle for the next quarter with Upton drawing level from a drive close to the line after three consecutive sets following All Blacks indiscipline.

New Earswick then took control with man-of-the-match Mick Harrison dictacting. He made a half break before slipping the ball around the back of a defender to the supporting Leach, who showed great pace to race 35 metres before feeding Tom

Coomber who went under the sticks leaving Calpin an easy kick.

Five minutes later, Harrison picked out Calpin who sprinted through unchallenged to make it 16-6.

New Earswick extended their lead when a good work from the forwards saw Harrison provide the last pass to Leach who cut through the defence to score. Calpin's kick made it 22-6.

All Blacks made the game safe on 55 minutes with the best move of the match. Jez Petch took the ball through the defence before passing to Phil

Turpin who surprised everyone with a reverse pass to Adie Robinson who dived over in the corner.

Despite a late rally by Upton, All Blacks defended well, particularly Dan Wellard and Pallister.

Updated: 09:49 Monday, February 17, 2003