FORMER York City Knights ace Chris Smith's debut for Heworth ARLC was a successful one as they turned the tables on promotion-chasing Ovenden.

Smith, now a player-coach at Elmpark Way, has been out of action for over a year following knee surgery but was back at full-back for the Villagers and scored a try as they achieved only their second win of the season.

Scorer supreme Gavin Grant and the front row of Simon Harrison, Jon Jewitt and Will Neary were also heroes as the former crossed for a hat-trick of tries while the three packmen laid the foundations for the 24-14 win.

Grant got Heworth going with the opener on 13 minutes off the running of Luke Judson, and second-row Wayne Foster got the second touchdown.

Smith, always a threat with his powerful running, set up Grant's second try before going over himself from a fine pass from Aussie stand-off Aaron Wood, another ex-Knight who was going well for the hosts. Mike Welsh and Wood added goals for a 20-0 lead.

Ovenden got back into the game before half-time with tries from winger Dave Fawcett and hooker Lee Midgely, with Chris Hartley's goal reducing the deficit to ten points at the break.

The second half was a nip and tuck affair with both teams increasingly guilty of errors as tiredness and bad decision-making crept in. Grant, though, had increased Heworth's lead by then with his third try and solid defence restricted Ovenden to a late consolation score from Matthew Short.

The tables were also turned in division one at Askam but this time the Minster city team were on the receiving end as high-flying York Acorn lost 22-18.

The Cumbrians might be low down the table but they are on the upturn, with this their third win in four games, while Acorn, previously unbeaten away from home, have been hit by two consecutive abandonments - investigations into which are still ongoing - and the controversial departure of coach Eric Fitzsimons.

Impressive half-back Andy Gargan kicked the Blue and Golds ahead but Askam went in front with a Mike Wilson try on the half-hour mark and never fell behind again.

Steve Porter extended the lead and, while a Gargan try and goal levelled matters, a Stuart Tipper try and Ryan Carter conversion gave Askam a 14-8 interval lead.

Centre Alan Willitts reduced the deficit but the first of two Carter penalties inched it up again and he also added the extras to a Tom Butler try for a lead Acorn were not able to haul back, despite a second Gargan try from Mike Embleton's break.

Acorn were under strength as winger Johnny Waldron and prop Adam Endersby were away with the BARLA Great Britain U23s team that lost 24-14 to a Combined Services team, Waldron getting one of the GB tries.

Updated: 10:17 Monday, October 31, 2005