HEWORTH ARLC gave themselves a huge boost after getting off the mark in Kingstone Press National Conference League division three with a 22-16 victory at Gateshead Storm.

It was a tough, uncompromising encounter fought out in difficult conditions on a greasy sloping pitch amid a howling wind, with the result being in doubt right until the final whistle.

The Villagers, who were only behind once in the match, held a slender 8-6 lead at the break and were made to work extremely hard for their success by a strong, physical Gateshead side who had won both their previous home matches and conceded only one try on each occasion.

It was Heworth's first win in four attempts since returning to the NCL from the Yorkshire Men's League.

Before the game, in common with all rugby league clubs, a minute's silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives in a terrorist attack two days earlier in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Heworth had the advantage of the wind and slope in the first half but it was the hosts who started the stronger, dominating possession and field position in the opening quarter of an hour, and it took some stout defending to keep them at bay.

The Villagers gradually worked their way into the match and, on 20 minutes, from a play-the-ball in centre-field, they moved the ball quickly left and full-back Fraser West chimed into the line and dummied his way over to score.

George Elliott, playing at centre this week, added the conversion and 10 minutes later booted a penalty goal which scraped over the crossbar to make it 8-0.

Three minutes from the interval, Heworth conceded a needless penalty close to the line and Storm centre Mike Mitchell took advantage to cross for a try improved by fellow centre Zach Clark, reducing the deficit to two points at the break.

The home side, with the elements now in their favour, came out firing in the second period, putting strong pressure on the visitors' line.

But again solid defence saw them weather the storm and, on 50 minutes, a speculative kick on the last tackle by scrum-half James Morland landed fortuitously behind the try line and newcomer Rob Bonehill, making only his second appearance, followed up to touch down for his first try for the club.

Elliott's conversion gave the Villagers slight breathing space at 14-6.

It didn't last long, however, as, three minutes later, Clark crossed and converted to put Gateshead back to within two points and, on 63 minutes, Mitchell went over in the corner for his second try to put the hosts in front for the first time in the match at 16-14.

The Black and Whites were determined not to be denied and, after repelling another spell of strong attacking play by the North East outfit, they managed to forge their way up the hill and, on 69 minutes, Elliott, standing at first receiver from a scrum on the home 20-metre line, blasted his way through the defence and crashed over under the posts for what proved to be the match-winning try.

After knocking over the conversion he sealed victory with a last-minute penalty for a personal tally of 14 points.

Second-rower Liam Watling was named the man of the match with Elliott in close contention, but the whole side deserved the plaudits for a non-stop grafting display.

Heworth's scheduled division three fixture away at Drighlington next Saturday has been postponed due to the hosts' involvement in a local district cup final. The match has been rearranged for Saturday, August 17, with the reverse fixture switched to Elm Park Way on the evening of Thursday, July 25.

Meanwhile, New Earswick All Blacks’ Yorkshire Men’s League Forty20 Cup group game at Wyke on Saturday was called off because of a waterlogged pitch. York Acorn 'A’s match at Lambwath Lions was likewise postponed.