New Earswick All Blacks were denied victory in the Yorkshire League senior division basement clash at Brookhouse by a cruel late try.

All Blacks had travelled with the bare 13 but a superb, committed display saw them nearly come away with a win before the hosts' late try and conversion made it 18-16.

New Earswick started well and twice went close in the first ten minutes when ex-Hunslet scrum-half Alex Davis and then captain Jez Petch were held just short, before Carl Pallister kicked them in front with a 12th-minute penalty.

Brookhouse came back with a converted try five minutes later but ten minutes before half-time a superb move, in which the ball went through several pairs of All Blacks hands, saw full-back Andy Innes shoot over under the sticks, Pallister converting.

All Blacks started the second half as they had done the first and on 52 minutes, after a great break by second row Pete Johnson, Andy Innes regather the ball to score again and make it 12-6.

Pallister's conversion hit the post and this proved vital in the end.

Brookhouse were soon level with a converted try but, on 64 minutes, Davis shot from acting half past three players to score wide out.

It seemed All Blacks would achieve their long-awaited win but with five minutes left their hearts were broken by that late score.

Nevertheless it was a fine display by the 13 on show, with Davis, again coming out of retirement, and prop Phil Johnson particularly prominent.

Updated: 12:13 Monday, February 11, 2002