New Earswick All Blacks v Heworth ARLFC: Friday 26th May -

On a warm sunny Friday evening at White Rose Avenue, the new look All Black’s took on a strong Heworth ‘A’ team, mixed with youth and experience.

In a typical local derby, the first between the clubs in a few years, it was the home team who started the strongest. New Earswick’s tough defence setting the platform early on, which continued for around 70 minutes of the game.

The All Black’s forward pack taking it to Heworth, with outstanding props Joel Shaw and Leo Hutchinson putting in some fantastic efforts in the heat of the evening.
The first try came with New Earswick building pressure on the Heworth try line and a great ball from half back Conor Calam, putting second rower Ross Cumberland through a gap, who went on to score his first All Black’s try after only his third game of rugby. The extras added by Calam to make it 6-0.

Heworth changed almost the entire team after a quarter mark drinks break and offered a different proposition for the home side, but the game continued in the same vein with great defensive organisation led by captain Sean Malarkey and tough tackling from Will Holmes and Angus Barrick. A second try soon followed with Leo Hutchinson crashing over for his first All Black’s try, a well deserved return for how he has started the season in his first 3 games. The conversion slotted over by the sure footed Calam to make it 12-0.

Heworth changed sides again at half time to bring back their original starting 13.
The second half continued with more All Black’s pressure, who had a try disallowed near the sticks. Hard running centre Darcy Sheriff, took the ball at pace close to the line and carried a few players over but was deemed to have knocked the ball on during the grounding, to the amazement of both teams.

With the game beginning to even out, man of the match Dean Smith broke the Heworth line and raced 40 yards to score in the corner. Calam adding a fantastic conversion from the left touchline to make it 18-0.

Another team change for Heworth brought them joy in the final 10 minutes when the Heworth stand off took advantage of the tired All Black’s legs with some smart chips kicks in behind the defence. The ball was regathered by a Heworth player who raced down the touchline to score in the corner, with the extras added 18-6.

In the last 5 minutes in an almost identical play, the ball was picked up by the Heworth centre, who still had a lot of work to do. After beating a number of All Black’s defenders with some great footwork, the game was done, finishing 18-12.