A FIRST-HALF purple patch helped York Acorn ARLC register their third win on the bounce with a 32-22 midweek victory over play-off rivals Skirlaugh.

Three tries in 15 minutes took the Blue and Golds from 6-0 down to 18-6 up and further points either side of half-time had them on the way to victory at 32-10 ahead.

The result lifted Acorn above Skirlaugh into sixth in National Conference League division one ahead of the weekend's other fixtures.

Skirlaugh had made the better start, aided by Acorn's inability to keep hold of the ball.

Back-to-back handling errors allowed the Hull side to build momentum and lively stand-off Carl Puckering produced a quality sidestep to unlock the defence, cross and convert.

Acorn's attacking fireworks, though, began on 10 minutes.

Quick hands involving both half-backs Lewis Brown and Antony Chilton put Matt Chilton into Skirlaugh's left edge and his smart pass saw in-form winger Callum Worthington cross.

Man-of-the-match Matt Chilton then produced an individual moment of magic on 19 minutes to score a fine try down the right, and more excellent approach play involving Brown and Matt Chilton saw Acorn again punish the same weak spot for centre Ryan Gallacher to cross.

Ant Chilton added all three conversions for an 18-6 lead.

Skirlaugh hit back on the half-hour, when - following an excellent break by scrum-half Reece Dean - winger Mike Johnson squeezed in at the corner.

However, Acorn soon produced a moment of sheer brilliance as Brown and Matt Chilton combined before the latter sent out an excellent pass for Worthington to score a great try out wide.

Ant Chilton converted and added a penalty goal on the stroke of half-time to make it 26-10.

The second half was only five minutes old when, on the back of a towering 40-20 kick by Ant Chilton, Acorn camped on the Skirlaugh try-line before Chilton himself spun in the tackle and scored a try.

He duly added the extras to stretch the home lead to 32-10.

Skirlaugh substitute forward Chris Smith quickly cut the gap, crashing in for a 49th-minute try, Puckering converting.

However, the rest of the half was dominated by defences with Acorn indebted to the outstanding tackling of forwards Reece Rushworth, Lewis Lord and Tom Hill, with centre Gallacher proving their equal in the backs.

Acorn should have scored more points but were thwarted by either the opposition's improved defence or an ability to hang on to the ball.

Skirlaugh, for their part, were probably the better side for the remainder but all they had to show for their efforts was a late consolation from prop Kane Larvin goaled by Puckering.