YORK RUFC Under-18s Colts reached the last eight of the National Cup with a 19-10 victory at Morpeth.
The Clifton Park side - who reached last year’s U17s final, losing in the dying seconds - now host Sheffield in the quarter-finals on March 19.
The muddy conditions slowed York’s backs down but the forwards came to the fore and their efforts were rewarded when Lewis Jackson drove over, Sam Elliot converting.
Morpeth replied but York then found their stride, adapting their play to suit the conditions before Alastair Bradford wormed his way over from close range, Elliot goaling.
Then from a lineout, Jackson drove over for his second and a 19-5 interval lead.
York faced intense pressure on the resumption, especially after a sin-binning, and the pressure finally told with a try. But they held out as both teams tired in the mud late on.
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