HEWORTH ARLC gave a below-par performance but won 32-16 at bottom side Keighley Albion to stay top of Yorkshire Men's League division one.

It was a scrappy affair on a difficult sloping pitch, not helped by a torrential downpour after 25 minutes which made handling difficult and restricted Heworth's usual style of flee flowing rugby.

The Villagers, playing downhill in the first half, built a comfortable 22-6 lead by the break but were made to work extremely hard for their success after the hosts belied their lowly league position with a spirited second-half effort.

Heworth started strongly and took the lead on six minutes when scrum-half Liam Jackson stepped his way over for the opening try which was converted by stand-off George Elliott.

Eight minutes later, slick handling saw centre Liam Watling - on his return to the club, having previously hung up his boots at York Lokomotive - cross in the right corner to make it 10-0.

On 16 minutes, prop Liam Richmond broke through the home defence in centre-field and a fine offload saw full-back Billy Sturdy race away to score under the posts, Elliott adding the extras.

Albion hit back just as the heavens opened with a try by prop Garry Boocock goaled by Connor Meegan.

But six minutes before the interval, Elliott strode through a gap close to the line to touch down and tag on the conversion for a 22-6 advantage.

Keighley, now with the slope in their favour, came out for the second half in determined mood and reduced the deficit after three minutes with a touchdown by centre Ben Whitaker, only for Heworth to respond almost immediately with Elliott putting Watling over for his second score to make it 26-10.

The hosts, though, went on to have their best period of the match, exerting strong pressure on the visitors' line.

Some stout defending kept them at bay but their persistence paid off with quarter of an hour remaining when Boocock forced his way over from close range and Dan Connell converted to close the gap to 26-16. The Black and Whites were not to be denied, however, and closed out the match five minutes from time as Jackson sent Richmond over for the final try, Elliott's conversion putting the result beyond doubt.

Jackson, the dual-reg York City Knights half-back, was named man of the match for Heworth with Dave Hayes, Josh Poulter and Sturdy in strong contention.

There was no such joy for neighbours New Earswick All Blacks in the premier division as they fell 48-6 at home to leaders Batley Boys - despite taking the lead through Ewen Coverdale's try.

Jack Stearman's men, bottom of the table, were unable to back up their excellent midweek draw at Siddal Academy - and then suffered a further blow as relegation rivals Lindley Swifts bagged an unlikely point in a 28-28 draw at high-riding East Hull.

Meanwhile, a late converted try saw Heworth 'A' nick a point in their division five derby at home to New Earswick 'A' - the ding-dong clash finishing 26-26.

Blustery weather caused both sides handling problems in a game in which the lead changed hands many times.

The Villagers led 14-10 at the break but the All Blacks came back strongly to lead 26-20 - which looked a winning score until Lewis Hartley crashed over near the posts for Karl Read to add the extras.

Heworth's other try-scorers were Gareth Smith, Sean Brough and Johnny Cambridge (2), Read ending with three goals.

All Blacks' tries came from Josh Prenty, Dom Judge (2), Adam Kirby and Chris Spain, with conversions added by Angus Barrick and Harvey Baynes.

Joe Murphy, Tom Speck and Hartley stood out for Heworth, with Judge, Ben Cooper and Baynes impressing for the visitors.