CHRIS Thompson followed his brace last week with a hat-trick as York Groves hammered Park Amateurs 'A' 48-14, writes Peter Martini.

Thompson got the killer try as Groves beat Waterhead 'B' 26-18 in Pennine League division five last time but this game was more one-sided as the Terriers jumped to third.

Early home pressure led to well-taken tries by Paul Watson and Matt Corr and, although slack defence let the visitors in, man of the match Paul Fairclough, playing his first game of the season after a knee injury, and another top performer, Chris Smith, reasserted Groves' domination with some blockbusting runs.

Thompson got his first try from acting-half and, while Park gave themselves a lifeline just before half-time with a second unconverted try, Groves began the second period in style.

Full-back Mark Arnold prevented the kick-off going dead and the ball popped up for Dean Kilbride, who swerved through the defensive line and, with the full-back to beat, passed to Thompson to cross.

Park hit back with a converted try but, with home centres Matt Withers and Danny Buy defending superbly, that was their last score.

Mark Arnold beat the defence from deep in his own half and again Thompson was on hand to cross, before John Rushworth intercepted an off-load to score. Paul Fairclough broke through 50 metres out and side-stepped the full-back, and another long range effort, from Groves' 20 metres, saw Kilbride beat numerous defenders to the line.

Jason Dunn booted his fifth conversion before Withers finished the scoring with a deserved try.

Updated: 09:58 Tuesday, October 04, 2005