BATTLING York Acorn ARLC found their National Conference premier division play-off clash with Oulton Raiders a game too far as they crashed to a 38-0 defeat.

Injuries before and during the game contributed to the Blue and Golds’ defeat at Thanet Road, but they were easily second best against the Raiders.

Despite missing several key players in the wake of their epic victory at Leigh Miners the previous week, Acorn started well in Saturday’s crunch clash.

Oulton opened the scoring on seven minutes against the run of play, with prop and captain Carlos Sanchez driving over from close range. Three minutes later full-back Tommy Griffiths crossed to make it 8-0.

On 24 minutes, winger Danny Hardy raced 80 yards for a try goaled by second-rower Mark Holmes. Holmes then crossed on the half hour mark to give his side an 18-0 half-time lead.

Acorn only held out for three minutes of the second period before Hardy sprinted over in the corner.

Stand-off Gavin Wood added another score two minutes later and Holmes converted.

Griffiths scored from a kick on the final tackle on 60 minutes and Holmes’ conversion made it 34-0. With ten minutes remaining centre Andy Falkingham crossed to complete the scoring.

Oulton will now face Siddal for the right to take on East Hull in the play-off final.

Full-back Joe Budd shone for Acorn, pulling off several last-ditch tackles.

Meanwhile, training for the York Inter-town side will be held at Thanet Road on Wednesdays from 6.30pm. Players from all York & District clubs are invited to attend.

• Heworth missed the chance to claim second place in National Conference division two as they lost 46-20 at Ovenden.

The Villagers had sealed promotion the previous weekend and they were unable to climb one more rung on the ladder against an Ovenden side unbeaten at home this season.

They trailed 22-2 at half-time largely due to a four-minute hat-trick from winger Luke Browne.

Tom Palmer also touched down twice for the hosts, while Carl Potter kicked Heworth’s lone penalty.

Adrian Leek scored a try on 55 minutes to make it 22-6, but Brett Durkin hit back for Ovenden and Chris Hartley kicked his second conversion.

Heworth centre Marcus Allan scored a 70 metre interception try and Potter converted, but the home side added tries by Dean Robertshaw and Mike Hastings.

Man of the match Potter and Leek combined to send winger Sam Johnson over in the 73rd minute.

Brett Steele rounded off Ovenden’s tally before Johnson crossed again.

Paul Thompson, Chris Varley and Mike Crossman impressed in the Heworth ranks.