RUGBY League referee Chris Nicholls won't report Heworth and York Acorn to the National Conference League after a scuffle involving almost everyone on the pitch broke out during their division two derby on Saturday.

The second-half fracas, which occurred with Heworth well on the way to a stunning 43-2 victory, was quickly broken up by peacemakers on either side and Nicholls said he did not think it was worth reporting as a brawl.

The melee stemmed from a three-man tackle on Kenny Embleton, who was making his Heworth first-team debut after switching from Acorn two weeks ago. Embleton reacted to a blow to the face and other players quickly became involved.

Embleton later said the rough-house treatment he received, plus the odd name-call, did not come as a surprise.

"I was expecting to get what I got," he told the Evening Press. "It's not something I've shied away from. Right from the off it was something that was going to happen.

"I used to get it the other way when I played for Acorn against Heworth."

Embleton admitted he had fallen out with Acorn coach Dave Kay over the amount of time he spent on the sidelines and said he joined Heworth after six years at Acorn to get more game time.

"I was on the bench all the time and they gave no reason why," he said. "I gave him the opportunity to discuss it or tell me why but it never happened.

"It upset me to leave but at the end of the day we're here to play rugby and I want to get on the pitch. It was a big change but I've settled in well. They're a good set of lads.

"I want to play to the best of my ability and if changing clubs brings the best out of me then that's okay."

Embleton played his full part in Heworth's win, which maintained their 100 per cent record this season. "I expected it to be closer because I thought position for position the teams were evenly matched," he said.

"We're in a good position for promotion now but we'll have a better idea at Christmas."

Heworth player-coach Brendan Carlyle and joint-coach Phil Sturdy had no qualms about putting Embleton in at the deep end.

"He was man of the match for the 'A' team last week and we had a few injuries so it was an easy decision," said Carlyle.

Updated: 12:01 Monday, October 28, 2002