YORK Acorn Present just managed to hold off the spirited challenge of their York Acorn Past side counterparts 18-14 in the final testimonial for Acorn legend Mike Embleton.

The real winners on the day were the Martin House Hospice, who care for children and young people, with the fixture part of a day aimed at raising money for the charity.

The game was organised by Acorn open age player Harry Bromwich who aimed to bring the past and present from the York rugby community together.

Embleton's cousin, Leo Walters, sadly lost his fight to Juvenile Huntington's disease at the age of 11 last month.

Leo spent a lot of time at the hospice alongside his sister, Beth, who also suffers with the same condition and still spends time at Whitby Lodge - the teenagers and young adults section of the hospice.

"It has been an invaluable place for families of children with life shortening conditions," said a York Acorn spokesperson.

"It has been a particular haven for Leo and Beth’s mum Claire, her partner Rob and their brother Brad and his partner Robyn."

Acorn Past took the lead after a dozen minutes, when hooker Andy Gargan darted clear from 20m out before burrowing his way over for an unconverted try out wide.

Past extended the lead when a trademark, long floated pass from stand-off Darren Callaghan found second-rower Stephen Thomas who raced in from 30m out.

Loose forward John Liddell landed the conversion.

Present hit back when a clever Antony Chilton kick was grounded near the corner flag by winger Ryan Gallacher before the assister added the extras.

That left the scores at 10-6 at the break to Past.

The game's next score came on the hour mark when Present centre Jordan Myers exploited space down the opposition’s right edge before sending winger Josh Thompson clear.

It was a try goaled by substitute Tony Shepherd that put Present into the lead for the first time at 12-10.

The Past side struck back not long afterwards, when winger Paul Cross touched down for an unconverted try in the corner that gave his side a narrow 12-14 lead.

The game's decisive score came with 10 minutes to spare, when a cross-field kick by Shepherd caused confusion on the Past try line.

Two ricochets afterwards, Jordan Potter was on hand to score the winning try.

Half-back Shepherd added the conversion to give the Acorn Present side their 18-14 victory.

A disappointment of the game was the injury to the former York City Knights outside back Matt Chilton, who broke his arm during the 80 minutes.