A THRILLING comeback from York Acorn ARLC ultimately came to nothing as they were edged out 28-26 at West Hull in the National Conference League interim group season.

The Blue and Golds played against the wind in the first half and turned in an excellent tackling display to go in at the break level at 4-4.

Winger Jack Ridsdill scored on the overlap for Wests on 29 minutes, and that score was countered right on the stroke of half-time by a try in the corner from Acorn’s Matthew Woods.

Wests blitzed Acorn at the start of the second period with three quick-fire tries.

Some excellent support play saw full-back Danny Swales go over and stand-off Ian Kerman goaled.

Then, on 43 minutes, Ridsdill got his second touch down after a Wests break up the centre of the field.

Straight from the restart, Ridsdill completed his hat-trick when some slack Acorn defence allowed the winger to go over unopposed in the corner.

With the score at 18-4, the writing looked to be on the wall for the visitors, but they showed good strength of character to hit back.

Full-back Steve Mackley scored a good try on 50 minutes after some excellent passing, and Anthony Chilton goaled.

Then as Acorn pressure grew Tom Hill supported a Nick Speck break to go over the line and Chilton goaled to make it 18-16.

Wests stretched the lead on 68 minutes when prop Ben Parker bulldozed his way over from five yards and Mark Hewitt goaled.

On 78 minutes, Matty Plummer rounded off a good Wests move to make it 28-16 and effectively put the game beyond Acorn’s reach.

In the dying minutes, Acorn winger Woods scored his second try and Acorn hopes were raised further when skipper Hill went over again after an astute Mackley pass, and Chilton goaled.

Adam Endersby took the visitors’ man of the match award, closely followed by Stephen Mackley and Jordan Hyde.

Acorn were left with injury worries ahead of next weekend’s final group game as both Jimmy Mountford and Jordan Hyde were hospitalised with shoulder injuries.

Meanwhile, Heworth suffered their eighth defeat of the Group ‘G’ interim campaign as they crashed 62-0 at Skirlaugh.

The Villagers trailed 28-0 at the break after Skirlaugh tries for Scott Mountain, Stuart Smith, Tom Harrison, Jason Bell and Lee Nobbs. In the second half, Jamie Shaul scored a hat-trick, Harrison crossed again, and John Taylor and Scott Yeaman also touched down.

Bell kicked eight goals and Yeaman one.

Heworth’s man of the match was Matt Derry, while half-backs Tom Barron and Craig Richardson performed well, and prop Carl Potter led from the front in a tough fixture.