SCOTT RHODES hailed his York Acorn ARLC team after they “ran Normanton off the pitch” in their play-off final to return to amateur rugby league’s flagship tier.

Acorn came from behind in the semi-final at Shaw Cross and did so again here, from 12-4 down early on, to win 30-22 in a ding-dong encounter in Widnes.

They now go back to National Conference premier division after two years in division one.

“It was absolutely fantastic. Words can’t describe how happy I am at the minute or how proud I am of these lads,” said head coach Rhodes.

“Over these last three or four games we’ve been outstanding. We came into form at the right time. I just knew we would beat them.

“My lads worked the game-plan fantastically.”

Asked if he was worried when Normanton appeared to be turning the screw in the first half, Rhodes said: “We came from behind last week. It was never a problem.

"We had the youth and enthusiasm - we’re a fit side, and we can play as well. I think our average age is about 22.

“I was always confident we would get chances. We just had to take them and we did.

“We deserved that. We ran them off the pitch.”

Two penalties and a late 40-20 by Antony Chilton effectively sealed the success, and capped the sub half-back’s man-of-the-match display.

Rhodes said: “It’s a big pitch and I knew I needed a good kicker. Antony has the best left foot in the league. I knew he could come on and we could switch things around at hooker and in the halves.

“His kicking game was quality and his general play was great as well. That 40-20 near the end killed them.

“But from one to 17 we were fantastic.

“Joe Porter was outstanding – I haven’t seen the stats but I expect they’ll show he was immense.

“We’ve struggled with our away form all year but I knew coming into these play-offs we would be in with a shout.”