Copmanthorpe under-12s overcame the odds and torrential rain to lift the Mitchell League Plate at KitKat Crescent on Tuesday.

Joe Broughton drilled home the only goal of the final against York College five minutes before half time to end a difficult season on a high with captain Oliver Bird lifting the trophy.

Copmanthorpe were faced with a rebuilding task after losing several players to York City's School of Excellence two years ago and have struggled to hit the kind of form they had seen previously.

But a string of crucial wins helped them stave off relegation for a second year running with results on the way including taking the first points off Pickering Town 'A' all season.

Coach Paul Bird said: "It was really important that the lads enjoyed it and being at KitKat Crescent was just great for them after a lot of hard work."

Pickering Town 'A' were taken to extra time by Thorpe United before Luke Mclaren and David Thompson scored to seal the Mitchell League Cup.

The cup triumph maintains an impressive vein of form for the Ryedale side. They reached the cup final at under-9s, won the league and a cup at U10, repeated that at U11 and finished runners up in the league this term before winning the cup.

Pickering, who have also lost four players to Scarborough and one to Leeds in the last season with five more due to try-out at Scarborough, will end their season at the Mitchell League Charity Shield on May 5 where they will get a chance to topple league champions Bishopthorpe.

Proceeds raised on the day will go to a charity of the winning team's choice.

Updated: 10:40 Friday, April 29, 2005