YORK and North Yorkshire's under-13s rugby league representative team showed tremendous battling qualities before succumbing to a 30-20 defeat at the hands of their Barrow counterparts.

In only their second game, York and North Yorkshire fell behind to two unconverted tries before 36 consecutive tackles on their own-line prevented Barrow from adding a third.

The York and North Yorkshire team then hit back with winger Lee Spain scorching into the corner for a try, Danny Allan making a touch-line conversion.

Allan sparked a 50-yard break to allow Joe Budd to score under the posts and with Allan converting again, the York and North Yorkshire side were 12-8 up at the break.

However, with the elements against them in the second period and the effort of the first starting to show, Barrow were soon able to move into a 14-point lead.

Allan, however, following up his own chip kick, put York and North Yorkshire back into contention and when man-of-the-match Ross Divorty touched down, a fightback was on the cards.

But Barrow scored at the death to make sure of victory.

Updated: 11:56 Tuesday, September 11, 2001