New Earswick ARLFC picked up a precious Pennine League Championship point after battling back to draw 18-18 against Ossett Trinity.

Ossett raced into an 18-0 half-time lead with three converted tries.

But the All Blacks responded spiritedly in the second half with half-back Liam Gargan crossing for a try which he then goaled.

All Blacks narrowed the gap to six points after centre Joe Stearman raced over, with Gargan again obliging with the boot.

A second try for Stearman after a kick deflected off an Ossett player was kicked by Gargan to level.

Gargan was man of the match, his efforts backed up by prop Ben Fairburn and loose forward Bobby Smith.

New Earswick ‘A’ were unable to raise a team against Emley Moor, who were awarded the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy first round tie as an 18-0 walkover.