HEWORTH ARLC let slip a 12-point half-time lead in a 22-12 defeat at Dewsbury Celtic in National Conference League division three.

The Villagers made the most of an impressive opening 40 minutes against now second-placed Celtic - playing downhill on the sloping pitch - but could not stop the hosts from roaring back with four second-half tries to run out worthy winners.

Heworth - who drop to 12th in the table - signalled their intentions early and took the lead on nine minutes when stand-off James Morland and centre Gareth Watson combined to send second-rower Liam Watling racing away to touch down. Loose-forward George Elliott added the extras.

Three minutes later, Heworth went further in front when some slick handling sent centre Billy Sturdy crossing wide out for an unconverted score.

The Villagers maintained their momentum and created several more try-scoring opportunities but were unable to get over the line, with their only other points coming from a Morland penalty goal eight minutes from the break to give them a 12-0 lead.

Celtic, now with the slope in their favour, came out fired up and forced the Villagers into an error on the first set of six. From the resulting scrum, livewire substitute Billy Yarrow went over to reduce the deficit to eight points.

Boosted by the score, the hosts started to take control and, on the hour mark, Heworth failed to deal with a wickedly bouncing kick and winger Anthony Dunford followed up to touch down. Scrum-half Charlie Heaton converted to make it 12-10.

The visitors put in a strong effort to hang onto their slender lead but were unable to create any momentum and rarely threatened the home line.

Inevitably, the hosts - who were dominating possession - put the game to bed in the closing 15 minutes with Yarrow's second try along with one for hooker Danny Thomas, the Jamaica international. Both were goaled by Heaton.

Hooker Dave Hayes earned the man-of-the-match award for Heworth.

New Earswick All Blacks got their Yorkshire Men's League premier division campaign off to a brilliant start with a 66-24 win at Lindley Swifts.

Man-of-the-match Jack Stearman got three tries and was joined on the scoresheet by Tom Barron (2), Scott Birch (2), Mark Hayes, Jack Carling, Will Holmes, Tom Hields and Ewen Coverdale. Connor Calam added nine goals.

York Acorn 'A' won their division two opener 44-28 over Skirlaugh Bulls 'A'.

In the NCL Alliance Group 2, Heworth 'A' lost 24-16 to West Bowling 'A' at Elmpark Way after leading 12-10 at the break. Try-scorers for the Villagers were Liam Braithwaite (2) and Aaron Naismith, with Lewis Hartley kicking two conversions.