New Earswick All Blacks fell out of the Pennine League's President's Cup after a Jekyll and Hyde first-round performance at Clayton.

The division one side, lack-lustre in the first half, were much improved after the break, though their comeback was in vain as the premier division hosts won 34-24.

All Blacks, with one eye on next week's Yorkshire Cup quarter-final against holders Drighlington, made several changes but nevertheless went ahead as stand-off Mick Harrison's high kick saw Ben Jones gather and score.

Clayton then took command with four converted tries be-fore the interval and another early in the second half, with All Blacks' only other points coming from full-back Chris Spain following a kick and regather by Chris Judge.

New Earswick, for whom second-row Rowan Wallace-Hills starred, began their comeback at 30-8 down as Judge combined well with Jones before Eddie Keeping sent his uncle, Judge, over under the sticks.

Jones converted, then sent centre Darryl Fogg through, and then raced clear to the corner following a fine break by Judge. His touchline con-version brought the visitors to within one score but Clayton clinched it with five minutes left with a try in the corner.

York Groves were dumped out of the Pennine League's Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy with a first-round 64-2 home defeat by Undercliffe, a team unbeaten two divisions higher than the Terriers, but Selby Warriors made the second round by continuing Sheffield Hillsborough's awful start to their division four campaign with a 46-12 win.

York Acorn 'A' hit form in division three by thrashing bottom club Hollinwood 62-6 for their second win of the season, while Heworth 'A' lost a close Yorkshire League division three match at home to Nevison Leap 24-18 thanks to a last-minute converted try.

Sean Brough (2) and Sam Clarke scored Heworth's tries in an uncompromising encounter, with Garry Watkinson adding three goals. Phil Marwood and Shaun Strickland were in good form.

Updated: 09:32 Tuesday, November 01, 2005