Six of York's best female rugby league players have been called up by Yorkshire.

The York Acorn sextet of Yvette Shepherd, Natasha Armitage, Jenny Garwood, Kate Rollinson, Donna Parker and Lou Potter were all picked for the regional squad after impressing in recent trials.

Rollinson and Parker have both starred for Great Britain and Yorkshire, but for the rest of the group it was the first time any had gained representative recognition.

Three of them played in a 42-0 thrashing of Great Britain Students at Sheffield with the others missing out to injury, unavailability and work commitments.

Prop Shepherd said it was still a great experience. "None of us scored but we all got a full match and it was a good game," she said.

She was joined by 20-year-old full back Armitage and centre Garwood, all making their debuts.

All six will now be working hard for a place in their next match, against the Combined Services at Castleford on April 25.

York Acorn play home matches at Thanet Road and are currently joint third in division one of the women's ARL league.

Anyone wanting to join or find out more can call the club on 01904 330351.

Updated: 10:23 Thursday, April 15, 2004