YORK RUFC Under-13s have won the Yorkshire Cup after seeing off Sandal 30-25 in a hard-fought final at Harrogate RUFC.

The Clifton Park youngsters, playing at the earliest age allowed for competitive rugby, made it through five rounds against the likes of Pocklington, Otley, Yarnbury, Ripon and West Park Leeds.

York carried a confidence into the final from a very good season and started the game strongly with three gilt-edged try-scoring opportunities, only to uncharacteristically miss all three with a dropped ball, one held up and one clumsy obstruction.

Sandal then took full advantage with two well-worked tries to take a 10-point lead, but York found a response and edged a physical battle for possession while the backs worked hard to find space for wingers Charlie Hughes and Jake Hopkin.

The pair crossed three times between them to give York a 15-10 half-time lead which allowed them to settle and control much of the second period, notching three more tries through their wingers after heavy pressure on the Sandal defence.

Sandal dug deep and touched down for three more tries of their own to ensure a nervy finish for York, but the Minster city side showed maturity to encamp themselves in the opposition half and see out the game.