HEWORTH ARLC opened their Yorkshire Men's League Forty-20 Cup campaign - and the start of Scott Rhodes' reign as head coach - with a hard-fought 14-6 victory over a determined Keighley Albion.

The match was switched to York St John University's sports complex due to a waterlogged pitch at Elmpark Way - the wet weather forcing the cancellation of New Earswick All Blacks and York Acorn 'A's games as the fixture programme across the groups was again decimated.

Heworth led 12-0 at the break with the visitors' only try coming with quarter of an hour remaining to set up a nervy finish, before a late penalty goal eight minutes from time ensured the hosts prevailed.

Heworth went in front after 14 minutes when loose-forward Adam Speck put centre Adam Dent over for a well-worked try. Second-row Joe Deighton added the conversion.

Five minutes from the break, they doubled their advantage with George Elliott, playing at scrum-half, breaking through from 30 metres out and racing away to touch down next to the posts to enable Deighton to tag on the extras for a 12-0 half-time lead.

The second period became a war of attrition with both sides striving hard for supremacy and Heworth's defence being severely tested but proving up to the task.

However, on 65 minutes Albion put the game back in the balance with a try by winger Owen Palmer goaled by loose-forward Ian Meegan, reducing the deficit to 12-6.

Spurred on by their success, the visitors continued to exert more pressure on the home line but with eight minutes remaining the Villagers were awarded a penalty for holding down and Deighton coolly slotted his third goal to seal the match.

Debutant centre Cameron Taylor was Heworth's man of the match with Elliott, full-back Fraser West and Deighton in close contention.