Selby Warriors missed out on the Pennine League division three title when losing 40-14 to a Thornhill ‘A’ team coached by former York City Knights boss James Ratcliffe.

The Warriors were seeking a notable treble having won the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy as well as qualifying for the York & District Cup final, but can be still content with back-to-back promotions as league runners-up.

A treble is also still on the cards as they meet Brotherton in the Selby * District Cup final on Saturday at Sherburn, when Selby’s second team also face Northallerton in the Selby Plate final (ko noon).

The York cup final, against New Earswick All Blacks, is on Friday, June 3, at New Earswick.

Thornhill dropped out of the National Conference this season so their ‘A’ team was effectively a first team. They had former Knights and Hunslet prop Scott Woodcock playing at loose-forward and were supported on the sidelines by a host of ex-Knights including Hunslet player-coach Paul March, David March and Danny Ratcliffe.

The Trojans also kept Selby dangerman Wayne Fennell tightly marked and the absence of the crocked loose-forward Ryan Eades was a big miss for the Warriors.

Thornhill went ahead from a penalty – Selby were not too happy with referee Andy Mellor throughout the game – before the Warriors scored a great try through second-rower Justin Priest, converted by Richard Stead.

The hosts went 10-6 ahead by half-time and went clear on the scoreboard after the break as Selby’s hectic end-of-season schedule – eight games in 21 days – finally took its toll.

Stand-off Ben Pearson tried to rally the troops, as did coach Paul Helstrip’s half-time team talk, and the Warriors crossed the whitewash twice, through Jason Roberts and Priest, only to have tries ruled out both times, before winger Dave Makin scored from a messy build-up to reduce the gap.

The Trojans were also awarded a couple of tries which, on another day, could have been chalked off, so they ended flattered by the scoreline. Selby at least had the last say with a great effort from full-back Jason Roberts.

The man of the match for Selby was second-row Paul Greenwood, followed by loose-forward Scott Pearson, while Jason McManus had his biggest tackle count of the season.

New Earswick finished fifth in the championship division after a 30-0 walkover defeat to champions Wibsey in their last match.

York Lokos lost their 100 per cent winning start to the RL Conference Yorkshire East division when going down 30-20 at home to Knottingley.