MIDDLESBROUGH powered their way past a defiant York RI RUFC Under-17s into the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Cup.

RI were hoping to avenge a heavy loss earlier in the season but despite taking the game to the wire in a thrilling finale, Boro held out to win 24-15.

RI played with the strong wind in the first half and went in front when Robin Grice kicked a penalty.

Sloppy defence at a lineout saw a Boro prop roll off the front of the line to score.

RI, who had the benefit of the first-half wind, responded when Grice forced his over to give them an 8-5 interval lead.

Right from the re-start Boro's tactics were obvious, kick for touch, win lineout and batter the RI defence. It soon paid dividends with a converted try.

With only ten minutes left Boro's stand-off went for a drop-goal to seal victory and from the kick-off, Middlesbrough kicked deep into RI's 22 and scored again.

As Boro tried the same tactics again Tom Helstrip took the lineout and some superb interpassing put RI on the attack and Bernie Wright scored under the posts for a converted try.

RI were within a converted try of winning the game but just as they looked to have made a break, in stole the Boro stand-off to intercept and score the winning try.

York RUFC's youth development squad bounced back from last week's disappointing exit from the Under-17 Yorkshire Cup with a 27-5 defeat of South Yorkshire visitors Dinnington.

York shaded a close first half through a ninth-minute try from right winger Dan Simpson, who scored in the corner.

York's midfield pairing of Ben Hough and Darryl Fogg gave the Clifton Parkers the edge and for once, York had the luxury of several replacements, making five changes in the pack and changing both wingmen for the second half.

Alistair Snook had an immediate impact on the right wing. In the first minute he was penalised for a high tackle but redeemed himself moments later when following a kick through he won the race to the line to score.

York's fresh legs soon began to stretch the visitors and two tries in quick succession from Tom Cookman and Simpson on the hour mark put the game in the bag. Hough kicked a conversion.

The match was sealed near the end by a try from Alex McNeil.

Robbie Cuthbertson scored five tries as York RUFC Under-13s won 39-0 on a wet pitch at Malton and Norton with the forwards dominating the second half.

Tom Stancliffe scored a couple of touchdowns. Ben Johnson and Cuthbertson each kicked a conversion.

Updated: 09:07 Wednesday, April 07, 2004