Winning Post booked their spot in the final of the Rhodes Haulage York Interworks rugby league competition but were made to fight all the way by York Police Panthers last night.

Winning Post eventually triumphed 20-8 with two late tries and will now meet Guildford Construction in what should be a hard fought final at New Earswick on Monday (kick-off 10.30am).

It was a spirited performance by the Police men, who went into the final group match as underdogs but at times looked like pulling off a shock victory.

It was a low scoring affair in the first period with a penalty apiece by Winning Post's Dave Carling and Panthers' Chris Thompson the only points of the first half-hour.

Winning Post finally got their noses in front when Acorn captain Lee Frank burst through two tacklers to score under the posts and Carling added the goal.

Two minutes after the break the Police sensed an upset when impressive centre Dai Maiyn sidestepped full-back Carling to score under the posts and Thomp-son's conversion levelled the scores.

Both teams had chances to take the lead but it was Winning Post who found the breakthrough 20 minutes from time. Influential scrum-half Carl Potter burst through to touch down and Carling converted.

Winning Post sealed victory five minutes later, Potter kicking through for Alan Willitts to follow up and score. Carling again added the extras to complete the scoring.

Winning Post thus finished top of their group table to reach the main final, while the Police finished bottom.

The next match is on Sunday when Civil Service Old Boys and Tang Hall contest the Plate final, also at New Earswick (10.30am).

Updated: 11:56 Friday, May 25, 2001