NORTH Yorkshire Service Area representative teams battled gamely in their matches against their Hull counterparts on Saturday, but all four York-based sides lost.

The Under-13s and U12s games were played at York Acorn's Thanet Road ground, while the U15s and U14s matches were held in Hull. The North Yorkshire teams again wore their York City Knights strips for the Inter-Service Area competition series.

North Yorkshire U14s pushed a well-drilled Hull side to the limit but went down in the final 15 minutes 18-30.

North Yorkshire shocked the hosts by scoring ten unanswered points in the first quarter. However, the more experienced Hull team fought back to take a half time lead.

Injuries to key visiting players allowed Hull to extend their lead early in the second half, yet North Yorkshire showed great character to fight back, in particular loose-forward Ross Divorty, Billy Parker, Scott Jackson, Danny Allan and the tireless Daniel Ljazouli.

In the corresponding fixture last year, North Yorkshire lost 56-6 so this performance showed the vast improvement the squad has made.

Adam Jones notched two tries and a goal for North Yorkshire U13s but it was in vain as they lost 16-10 to Hull SA in a thriller at York Acorn's Thanet Road ground.

Jones put York ahead with an early penalty and minutes later used his power and pace to finish off a good move along the line.

Both sides were playing some outstanding rugby and it was the visitors who crossed next for a converted try on 15 minutes.

Defences were then to the fore with Oliver Harrison, Dave Leeke, Pat Smith, Jones and Steve Doswell outstanding for the hosts, but nevertheless the visitors crossed in first half injury time and again just after the restart, adding the conversion for a 16-6 lead.

York, with Alex Redhead and Jack Hawkins also superb, never gave up the fight and when Ross Varley kicked into space Jones was first to react to make it 10-16.

However, defences then regained the initiative with both sides making try-saving tackles and, although York finished the game on top they were unable to find a leveller.

North Yorkshire U12s and U15s both lost comprehenseively.

The North Yorkshire teams face Lancashire on June 14 in the last game of the current five-match Service Area series.

Updated: 08:52 Tuesday, June 10, 2003