Victoria slip to defeat at high flying Acorn

Both teams showed great defence in the first 25 minutes, with Birstall forwards Richard Duffy, Damon Fletcher and Matthew Gowland standing out.

With a succession of penalties, Birstall gifted York the opportunity to open the scoring after 26 minutes and then the flood gates opened.

York bombarded the Birstall Victoria right side defence and scored a further five tries as they raced into a 32-0 half-time lead.

Birstall did manage to score three second half tries with second row forward Josh Speight crossing for their first after 45 minutes.

Winger Anthony Cox added a second Vic score 10 minutes later and easily the best try of the game came after 78 minutes when prop forward Phil Hartley made a 40 yard run to crash over in the corner.

York added a further five second half tries as they ran out 56-14 winners.

Birstall man-of-the-match went to Richard Duffy, with stand-off Ste Suddards and second row Damon Fletcher joint second.

Defeat leaves the Vic seventh in the table with five wins and seven defeats from their 12 matches and they are on the road again this Saturday when they visit Bentley Braves (ko 2.30pm), who are just a place below them in the table.

Acorn’s win saw them close the gap on leaders Mirfield Stags to three points with both sides having seven matches remaining.

The Stags were not in action last Saturday but had extended their lead at the top with a thrilling 31-30 victory over Bentley the previous week as Nathan Hadfield scored a last minute try, which Ross Hayden converted, to snatch victory.

The stags welcome Siddal A to Castle Hall this Saturday.