YORK RUFC's Under-13s have collected another piece of silverware to their bulging collection.

They beat Harrogate 12-0 in the Yorkshire Cup final at Skipton their 17th title out of a possible 18 in then last five years.

The final was a physical forward encounter with harrogate making the better start before York began to monopolise possession mid-way through a scoreless first half.

In the last seconds before half-time Harrogate threw in to a lineout ten yards from their own line. It was caught by York's Andy Fraser who crashed over the line only for play to be brought back with York offered the lineout of scrum for the crooked Harrogate throw.

York spent most of the second half deep in Harrogate territory and the breakthrough finally came after Andy Leigh missed two penalty chances in front of the psts.

York's Harrison, who had a strong game throughout, powered over in the corner, to give the Clifton park youngsters the lead.

Harrison then broke from the No 8 position before switching the ball back inside to Hawking on the crash ball who eluded three Harrogate tacklers before going over the line, leaving Leigh to convert.

York RI Under-16s fought back from a 24-0 deficit to win 36-31 against their York counterparts.

Two tries from Daniel Simpson gave visitors York an early advantage before RI lost Tom Helstrip to injury.

A York substitute donned RI's colours to keep the numbers even but couldn't stop York adding two further tries with conversions added by Andy Brown.

A fine solo try from RI's Tim Thomas reduced the arrears to 24-5 and RI took the game by the scruff of the neck after the interval.

Tries from Elliott Richardson, Greg Bond, RI's York guest, Craig Garnett and Mark Musgrave, all converted by Thomas, turned the scoreline in RI's favour.

RI lost playmaker Tom Heslop to injury and with the loan sub withdrawn, York managed to reduce the deficit to just two points with a try and conversion of their own.

However, in the last five minutes a Thomas penalty sealed RI's win.

Updated: 12:07 Wednesday, April 02, 2003