HEWORTH shrugged off the after-effects of a tough midweek encounter to produce a devastating display of attacking rugby and overwhelm title rivals Queensbury 46-12 at Elmpark Way.

The Villagers had tied 18-18 with fellow promotion-seekers Hunslet Club Parkside on Wednesday night but took all the spoils in fine fashion this time out to stay clear at the top of Yorkshire Men's League division one.

The Villagers led 24-6 at the break and went on to register a total of nine tries while restricting the visitors to one in each half.

Prior to kick off, a minute's applause was held in tribute to Birkenshaw Bluedogs forward Max Blakeley who tragically died during his teams fixture with Heworth 'A' at Elmpark Way on the previous Saturday.

The hosts signalled their intentions in their opening set of six tackles as they put the ball through several pairs of hands for centre Gareth Watson to cross for a try converted by Joe Deighton.

On 10 minutes, fellow centre Billy Sturdy put stand-in winger Liam Cashmore over in the corner, and it looked ominous for the visitors nine minutes later when scrum-half Liam Jackson ran on to a defence-splitting pass from stand-off George Elliott to touch down close to the posts, Deighton adding the extras for a 16-0 lead.

Queensbury hit back quickly with a try by burly centre Tom Hainsworth converted by scrum-half Jonny Naylor but Heworth resumed control and some impressive handling producing a second try for Cashmore along with one for full-back Fraser West to make it 24-6 at half-time.

The Black and Whites extinguished any hopes of a second-half comeback by the visitors, keeping the ball alive at every opportunity.

After a couple of good chances went begging, hooker Dave Hayes weaved his way over on the hour mark and five minutes later Jackson and substitute Adam Dent combined to send second-row Fergus Chapman galloping to the line.

Elliott goaled both scores to put the home side out of sight at 36-6.

Hainsworth's second touchdown improved by Naylor on 69 minutes proved scant consolation for Queensbury as the Villagers finished with a flourish with tries by Sturdy off a Dent pass and second-row Deighton, who took advantage of a fortuitous bounce from a high kick by Elliott. Elliott's final conversion made it 46-12.

Deighton was Heworth's man of the match with Cashmore, Hayes and substitute Josh Poulter similarly standing out.