DESPITE a superb committed display, New Earswick All Blacks were beaten 15-12 by Hunslet Old Boys in extra time of the White Rose Trophy final at Hunslet Warriors' ground.

After an evenly-matched opening 20 minutes, New Earswick took the lead with a Carl Pallister penalty for a half-time lead of 4-2.

Soon into the re-start Hunslet bagged a converted try to go 8-4 up.

The York ranks continued to press led by man-of-the-match Alan Pallister, but they had to wait until the 72nd minute before levelling with a try from Joe-Joe Hnesh after he was put in by John Leach. The unconverted try took the tie into extra time.

Three minutes in, Hunslet crossed and added the extras, which, added to a subsequent drop goal, put them seemingly in command at 15-8. But with two minutes left Adie Robinson dummied his way over to trim the deficit to three points. A brawl ensued from which referee Mick McLeod sent off a Hunslet player but New Earswick just could not find a way back.

It was a great effort by All Blacks just two nights after they had beaten York Acorn to lift the Accident Cup.

Updated: 10:09 Saturday, May 24, 2003