YORK Lokomotive ARLC lifted the Steeden North Yorkshire Invitation Cup after beating a young New Earswick All Blacks side in a cracking maiden final.

A ding-dong affair played at Knaresborough Rugby Union Club swung this way and that before the Lokos, with a two-point lead, all but sealed victory late on with a converted interception try as New Earswick pushed their luck.

All Blacks still had time to hit back again but it finished 34-32.

Earswick, who fielded largely an 'A' team containing 12 under-18s, including two 16-year-olds, started brightly and scored through George Hunt after a slick move from right to left.

The try was converted but Earswick then went into a lull, turning over possession and conceding penalties. Lokomotive punished them with three tries for a 16-6 half-time lead.

The Lokos also scored first in the second half to go 22-6 up before a big push by the All Blacks saw some excellent rugby rewarded.

Ben Cooper exploited a gap after some goalline pressure, and strong forward play saw Adam Kirby stroll over, Connor Calam's conversions putting All Blacks within four points.

They were now on the front foot and, after another roll-on, the strong-running Joe Hudson went over for a deserved try, to level the scores.

However, straight from the restart, a pass from Adam Caddie was deemed forward and Lokos got themselves back in front as former All Black Daryl Fogg forced himself over, the try goaled.

All Blacks struck again with five minutes to go as dogged play saw a flowing move left to right finished off by young Rhys Bailey for his first open-age try.

But the conversion was missed, leaving All Blacks having to force their hand.

A good read led to the Lokos' interception try and, although All Blacks scored again through Will Holmes, Calam converting, time was up.

Hudson was Earswick's man of the match, followed by Hunt.