YORK Acorn's hopes of automatic promotion to the National Conference League premier division received a boost in a nine-try 46-4 demolition of Humberside outfit Myton Warriors.

The victory puts the Blue and Golds joint second on points difference with Featherstone Lions, just a point behind league leaders Pilkington Recs with five games left to play.

Acorn's win at Thanet Road was built on a solid first half showing, where they managed to build up a 14-4 interval lead despite being buffeted by a strong wind.

The hosts took a 4-0 lead in the eighth minute, when experienced full-back and man-of-the-match Joe Budd cut through from 10 metres out to score an unconverted try.

With the wind at their backs, Myton had plenty of back-to-back sets close to the Acorn try line, but they were unable to breach the resolute defence.

On 27 minutes, Acorn's makeshift second rower Martin Pedersen Scott capitalised brilliantly on a fine pass into the gap by impressive play-making scrum-half Lewis Brown. He rampaged over for a well deserved try, which half-back partner Antony Chilton goaled to push the hosts into a 10-0 lead.

The only blight on an otherwise perfect defensive showing came straight from the kick off.

A handling error was compounded by a penalty which set up field position for Myton substitute Liam Ward to race in for an unconverted score.

With the half-time whistle just a few minutes away, Acorn stretched their lead to 14-4 with a fine unconverted solo try by sub acting-half Nick Speck.

With the wind behind them after the break, Acorn stretched their lead in the 49th minute when Brown produced another telling pass to send sub forward Jordan Hyde racing in. Chilton converted.

Substitute prop forward Adam Endersby then crashed over from close range for a 52nd minute try, goaled by Chilton.

On 54 minutes, Endersby and Tim Stubbs, the pick of the forwards, combined with Chilton to put winger Ben Tenge over in the corner.

On the hour mark, Stubbs crashed through the defence and Chilton goaled for a 36-4 lead.

Second rower Matthew Woods cut through from 35 metres out before sending winger Josh Parker in for his 11th try of a prolific debut campaign five minutes later. Chilton added the extras.

Acorn's final score came on 69 minutes when a break and subtle off-load from loose forward Lewis Lord resulted in a second try of the game for the hard-working Nick Speck.

With key performers all over the park, it was hard to believe Acorn had been forced to make five changes from the previous week's win over Pilkington. Forward Alex Hardcastle was one of those to impress, on his first outing of the season.