A LATE surge saw York Acorn lift the York & District Amateur Rugby League Cup after a 32-22 victory over Selby Warriors.

The scores were level at 22-22 after 67 minutes of the cup final at Heworth’s Elmpark Way ground, but two Karl Harton tries in the last three minutes saw the Blue and Golds home.

Acorn’s Steve Doswell crossed from a short pass for the first try and, on ten minutes, James Cooper ghosted through a gap to go over, with Kenny Shepherd goaling both efforts for a 12-point lead.

Stand-off Ben Pearson got Selby’s opener on 15 minutes after some slack Acorn defence. Gavyn Lightowler goaled.

On 30 minutes, after a disallowed Warriors effort, Adam Sellers went over in the corner directly from an Acorn penalty.

Right on the stroke of half-time, good work from Wayne Fennell sent Kyle Jarrett over for a good try and Lightowler goaled to make it 16-12 at the break.

Selby started the second half on top and Chris O’Neill levelled on 58 minutes after good work down the right-hand side.

Acorn scored again on 65 minutes when Tom Hill burst up the centre to give the supporting Shepherd an easy 20-yard sprint to the line for a converted try.

Selby hit back almost immediately as some superb interplay saw O’Neill grab his second touchdown and, with Lightowler goaling, the sides were all-square.

As the pressure mounted both sides missed shots at penalties, but then came the Harton late show to seal the win.

Fennell was outstanding for Selby, while Acorn under-18 players Joel Johnson and Joe Porter both had sound games along with Carl Loft, who worked tirelessly.