Heworth ARLC's ability to score points has lifted them out of the bottom two in National Conference League division two, but their inability to defend leaves them still deep in the mire.

The Villagers were beaten 48-24 by Crosfields in their latest encounter, a defeat which nonetheless saw them leapfrog Featherstone Lions on points-difference - the Fev side lost 40-8 at Stanningley. However, their win over the Lions earlier this month remains their only victory in seven games this season.

Aussie ace Aaron Wood was again impressive for Heworth and he will no doubt be missed when he returns down under around Christmas time.

The former York City Knights and Doncaster Dragons player, wearing the number six shirt, scored two tries and three goals, but the visitors, three early tries to the good, were never in any trouble as they crossed the whitewash nine times in total, with Jimmy Williams adding six goals.

Heworth first got on the scoreboard when 16-0 down, second-row John Pinder getting the try, and replied again to the next Crosfields try as prolific winger Gavin Grant won the race to Wood's kick downfield from a scrum, Wood goaling both.

The visitors nevertheless scored again to go in 26-12 up and the second period was a similar story.

Heworth, well-served by loose-forward Luke Judson and props Phil Marwood and Simon Harrison, saw Wood cross the whitewash twice in the half and convert one himself with Dan Briggs adding the other goal.

But Crosfields were already well clear, their tries coming from Ricky Hough, Phil Bannon (2), stand-off Matt Pitt, Eddie Bannon (2), Lee Irving, Craig Boyle and Peter Royale, and the win moved them up to third in the table.

Updated: 11:08 Monday, October 17, 2005