SUBSTITUTE Steve Harris was the hero in more ways than one as New Earswick All Blacks Amateur Rugby League Club made a great start in the Yorkshire League senior division with a 26-22 win at Good Companions.

Harris turned up later than planned as he had been held up by a traffic accident when a boy was apparently knocked off his bike, with him phoning the police to make sure the youngster was okay.

He missed the kick-off but got on in the second half and set up the match-winning try deep into stoppage time.

His great break ended with an off-load to Alex Davis, who fed Alan Pallister to crash over under the posts, with Dave Carling's conversion coming on the final whistle.

The Bentley-based side had completed a comprehensive league double over the All Blacks the last time they were in the same division, in 2001-02, but this time the York side stole the points.

The first 25 minutes had seen defences on top, but then Good Companions, who featured former York City Knights prop David Bolus in their line-up, went ahead with a converted try under the sticks.

All Blacks hit back as Nigel Tyreman dummied and sent the impressive Trevor Sadler over in the corner before a fine break from man of the match winger Steve Perks ended with Carling putting Lee Nelson in.

The hosts retook the lead on half-time with another converted try but the scores were levelled on 52 minutes as Pallister sent Perks over.

All Blacks went 18-12 up on the hour after a weaving run by Lee Nelson from dummy half took him past three defenders to the posts, Carling converting.

But the hosts levelled again with another converted try and, after Carling had edged All Blacks ahead with a penalty, they retook the lead with two penalties of their own.

The latter came with three minutes left but there was still time for those late heroics to win it for New Earswick.

Updated: 12:28 Tuesday, September 02, 2003