The New Earswick All Blacks junior gala proved a success on Sunday, despite the fact organisers were told official referees would not be attending because of the insurance wrangle in amateur rugby league.

Five seven-a-side competitions were held during the day at White Rose Avenue and All Blacks chairman Charles Rollinson said the fundraising event was 'well attended and went very well'.

The rugby on show was also of a high standard.

Winners on the day were: Emerging-8s Normanton; Under 8s Featherstone; U9s York Acorn; U10s Featherstone; U11s Featherstone.

Meanwhile, York Acorn Under-12s stormed to a York and District U12s Cup final success with a resounding 72-0 win over New Earswick All Blacks at White Rose Avenue.

With prop Oliver Harrison, second rower Eddie Beddingham and hooker Dominic Nelson having big games, Acorn scored tries through David Leake (4), Danny Birkett, Paul Cross, Adam Craven, Adam Jones (2), Matthew Fairclough, Tom Wilcock Harrison (2), Mark Sanderson and Gareth Pollock.

Ross Varley completed their scoring with eight goals.

All Blacks took the U14s cup as Acorn could not raise a side.

The York and North Yorkshire Service Area Under-18s' side were beaten by injuries and a lack of substitutes as they lost 36-10 to Hull and District.

The York team, featuring only 14 players, including four from Halifax and District, shook up the Humbersiders and only trailed 14-10 after 60 minutes.

Half-backs Andy Henson (York Acorn) and Ben Lister (Halifax) combined well, while centre Lee Spain and second rowers Tommy Lyons and man of the match Dean Winspear (all Acorn) also shone.

Prop Jason Griffin (Halifax) scored both York's tries, with Henson adding one conversion to make the scores level at 10-10 at the interval.

York/North Yorkshire U18s face the North East this weekend, this game also being part of the selection process for the Yorkshire side to take on Australia U18s later in the year.

Updated: 12:17 Wednesday, September 18, 2002