YORK Acorn ARLC were made to work hard for their second National Conference League division one victory of the season against a strong Wigan St Jude’s side.

The Blue and Golds played the last 30 minutes with 12 men after prop Martin McTigue was sent off following a fracas at a play-the-ball with a St Jude’s defender, but the hosts managed to hang on for a 34-24 win.

Acorn started well and went 12-0 up in as many minutes as Anthony Chilton dropped on a loose ball from a kick that was spilled and then Tom Hill rounded off a move up the middle of the field after a superb Tim Elliott pass. Chilton goaled both efforts.

St Jude’s hit back on 17 minutes when a grubber kick into the in-goal area was not dealt with and full-back Barry Rothwell dropped on the loose ball. From the restart, winger Nathan Jones touched down for a 12-8 half-time scoreline.

In the second half, Kevin Brayshaw dived over on 42 minutes and Chilton converted.

The visitors hit back through Mike Whittle and winger Scott Robinson goaled before McTigue was dismissed.

However, Elliott crossed after some good interplay with Damian Hilton and Chilton converted.

Then Joe Budd made a break down the right side to go over from 30 yards. Chilton again goaled.

Centre Stephen King kept St Jude’s interested with a try, but Acorn stretched their lead further on 74 minutes when Nick Caldwell sold an outrageous dummy to cross.

With a minute left, St Jude’s got a try through King and Robinson goaled.

Tom Hill took the man of the match award, while Elliott, Matt Withers and Jordan Hyde all had good matches.

Heworth went down 46-6 at early pacesetters Ovenden in division two.

The Villagers, who trailed 36-0 at the break, contributed to their own downfall with some sloppy defending and poor ball retention.

Seven unanswered tries in the first half effectively ended the game as a contest.

Heworth got on the board in the 49th minute when centre Paul Thompson spun out of a tackle and raced over from 30 metres, with scrum-half Adam Caddie adding the extras.

Heworth were best served by stand-off Tom Barron, centre Mike Welsh and Thompson.