New Earswick All Blacks and York Acorn gave rugby league in York a major boost with a double winning weekend.

The All Blacks lifted themsleves out the bottom two of the National Conference League second division with a 12-2 win at home to fellow strugglers Dewsbury Moor.

And Acorn produced an exellent performance to win 16-8 at Castleford Panthers, a result which will go a long way to ensuring their safety.

Danny Liddell made it a family weekend to remember as he inspired Acorn to victory.

After watching his brother Jon's outstanding debut for Leeds Rhinos the previous night, stand-off Danny produced his best display of the season.

He opened the scoring on eight minutes with a brilliant individual try as he dummied his way through the Castleford line before racing in from 25 yards out.

The majority of the first half was defence dominated with Acorn being well served by hooker Stephen Waldron, influential captain Lee Frank and second rower Dave Norman.

The deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute when Panthers' stand-off Jamie Benn put over a penalty goal, a feat the former York Wasps man repeated on the stroke of half time when he kicked a mammoth goal from halfway.

Six minutes after the restart Acorn edged further in front with a try by scrum-half Johnny Waldron, created by a deft kick from brother Stephen. Full-back Jon

Hough added the conversion.

The game was made safe on 50 minutes when prop Paul Dodsworth took on three would-be tacklers and slipped the ball out to Steven Irving who turned the Panthers full-back inside out before diving over. Hough added the conversion for a 14-6 lead.

Castleford briefly raised their hopes on 57 minutes when centre Peter Thornton crossed for an unconverted try. But with prop forward Chris Soulsby enjoying his best game in Acorn's colours and fine defence from the whole team, their lead was never threatened.

Two second half tries by Lee Paterson and Paul Meillam earned All Blacks a crucial victory over Dewsbury Moor.

It was 2-2 at half-time, Moor's Steve Beard replying to an early penalty by Dave Carling.

New Earswick went close on a couple of occasions. Lee McTigue was held up over the line and then the same player broke from the halfway line but held onto the ball too long with support on hand.

They finally broke the deadlock on 58 minutes, Rich Harrison sending man of the match Paterson over for the a try which Carling converted.

Ten minutes later a superb move ended with Carl Pallister providing the final pass for winger Meillam to score in the corner.

John Leach and Mick Harrison ran Paterson close for the man of the match award.

Updated: 12:39 Monday, March 26, 2001