HEWORTH ARLC bounced back from last week's home defeat to Batley Boys with a hard-fought 26-18 victory at Oldham St Anne's.

In a tough encounter, the Villagers led 14-6 at the break and 20-6 seven minutes into the second period before the hosts hit back with two quick tries to put the game back in the balance.

Heworth weathered the storm and posted their final touchdown with 24 minutes remaining to put themselves six points ahead, with a late penalty goal ensuring there was no way back for the hosts.

The Villagers, after an inconsistent start to life back in the National Conference League, now sit eighth in the third division.

The opening exchanges were keenly contested with both sides showing a willingness to move the ball at every opportunity, and it was the Villagers who drew first blood after quarter of an hour.

A cutout pass by stand-off James Morland sent wingman Tim Waqadau racing away down the right flank to round the full-back and go over under the posts for centre George Elliott to add the extras.

The home side levelled five minutes later with a touchdown by winger Kieron McGinnerty goaled by stand-off Matt Whitehead.

Heworth, though, were back in front after half an hour when the home side failed to gather a Morland kick on the last tackle and centre Gareth Watson pounced to score.

Six minutes before the break, Watson showed great skill to snap up the ball after a miscued kick by Morland and scoot away for his second try to make it 14-6 at half-time.

The Black and Whites looked to be well in control of the match seven minutes into the second period when returning second-rower Fergus Chapman shrugged off several defenders to score close to the posts for Elliott to tag on the conversions for a 14-point lead.

The Saints, though, had other ideas and responded immediately when the restart kick held up in the swirling wind and full-back Dan Nixon gathered to race away unopposed and touch down, Whitehead converting.

Three minutes later it was all to play for when home scrum-half Luke Skilling went over for another Whitehead-goaled effort to reduce the deficit to two points.

Heworth, though, showed great resilience and on 56 minutes full-back Fraser West put Elliott in for an unconverted try to make it 24-18.

In a frenetic final period both teams threw everything at each other in an effort to prevail and, after each side had touchdowns chalked off by the referee, the Villagers were awarded a penalty with five minutes remaining and Morland held his nerve to stroke over the kick for a well-earned victory.

Elliott was man of the match for Heworth.

New Earswick All Blacks' winning start to the Yorkshire Men's League premier division season ended with a 40-16 home loss to East Hull.

Liam Gargan, Dean Smith and Tom Barron got All Blacks' tries, with Tom Holmes goaling two, while full-back Ewen Coverdale was their man of the match.

York Acorn 'A' were pipped 26-20 at Ossett Trinity Tigers in division two.

In NCL Alliance League group two, Heworth 'A' fell 50-10 at Dewsbury Moor Maroons 'A' after trailing 34-0 at the break. The try scorers for the Villagers were Ben Barnard and Ricky James, who also kicked one conversion.