New Earswick All Blacks turned over rivals York Groves in a hard fought York and District Rugby League Cup final to add some gloss to their end of season celebrations.

All Blacks were agonisingly edged out of a play-off place in Yorkshire League senior division but put the disappointment behind them to claim the trophy 30-8.

Ben Jones got the ball rolling with an unconverted try after four minutes following a neat side step, and Dave Carling added six more points 20 minutes later. A great move saw prop Jamie Daniel feed Carling for the score, who duly converted to make it 10-0.

A moment of indiscipline gave Groves an ideal opportunity to claw two points back as Jason Dunn sailed over a penalty awarded for dissent.

But the second half heralded a new determination in the All Blacks with some exciting rugby being played and Mick Harrison and Carl Pallister combined to send Matt Godfrey over to stretch the score to 14-2.

However, the celebrations were short-lived as Pete Johnson was sin-binned for swinging out, reducing All Blacks to 12 men, and Dunn claimed another two points for Groves from the resulting penalty.

But New Earswick remained undeterred as Harrison fed Lee Nelson with a long pass on 55 minutes for a try, before a kick by Harrison again gave Godfrey the chance to race through for another, which was converted by James Sanderson to put them 20 points ahead.

Wilful Groves, though, never gave up the fight and were rewarded with a well worked try late on, finished off by John Thompson.

But All Blacks had the last word as Pallister pounced for a last try, Sanderson converting for the 30-8 final score.

Ben Allison presented All Blacks captain Jez Petch with the trophy, while prop Jamie Daniel was named the man of the match as celebrations continued into the night.

Updated: 10:22 Monday, April 12, 2004