Nestle Rowntree ended their season on a high by lifting the West Yorkshire League Premier Division cup after a 3-0 win over champions Carlton Athletic.

Two defeats in the League to Carlton had denied 'Trees their third championship in successive seasons but Jim Collis's side exacted revenge in fine style to prevent their Leeds-based opponents clinching a memorable double.

'Trees' victory was made all the more remarkable because their former York City goalkeeper Neil Smallwood suffered an injury in the warm-up and was forced to pull out.

Veteran shot-stopper John Reynolds, who announced his retirement last week, was persuaded to don the gloves and celebrated his final game by keeping a clean sheet and picking up a cup winner's medal.

A Matty Wain penalty and a Steve Ward tap-in had fired 'Trees into a deserved 2-0 half-time lead.

Substitute Brent Terry completed the scoring in the second half when he ran the Carlton defence ragged before coolly slotting home.

Manager Jim Collis was delighted for his team and the manner of their victory.

"I said before the match if the lads got their heads together there was no reason why we couldn't win it and they did.

"In the first half especially, we played magnificently and ran them off the park. It could have been 4-0 to us.

"They came at us a little bit more in the second-half but we defended very well.

"It doesn't make up for not winning the League but it is always nice to win a cup and finish the season in style."

In the League, York RI climbed off the bottom of the WYL without kicking a ball.

RI were scheduled to face Wakefield needing a win to finish above Rothwell Athletic in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

However, Wakefield, who were involved in a district cup final on Friday night and lie in the comfort zone of mid-table, chose not to send a team and RI were awarded the points.

Finishing second from bottom will improve RI's chances of succeeding with a re-application.

Pickering Under-19s have suffered a similar fate to RI in the Northern Under-19 Youth Alliance League.

The Pikes were scheduled to play Emley, possibly tonight, but have now been awarded the points.

The teenagers now have Thackley left to play and victory over the cup-winners could see the Pikes taking on Guiseley in a title decider.

Updated: 11:52 Monday, May 21, 2001