Carl Pallister was the hero of the hour for Guildford Construction in an enthralling Rhodes Haulage Interworks final at New Earswick.

Three minutes from time full-back Pallister held his nerve to send a towering 40 metre penalty between the posts and give Guildford a hard-fought 14-13 win over a gallant Winning Post team.

It was an evenly-matched final contested by two talented teams, neither of which deserved to lose.

With several top local amateurs featuring on both sides, it was always likely to be a close affair.

Given that Guildford scored two tries to Winning Post's one, they just about deserved the win.

But with New Earswick All Blacks' half-back Mick Harrison inspiring Winning Post, they blew three good scoring opportunities which would have put the game beyond the reach of Guildford.

There was nothing to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges, Carling and Pallister exchanging penalties for offside in the first 15 minutes.

Finally Guildford made the breakthrough, loose forward Adie Robinson finding a gap 25 metres from the Winning Post line before feeding centre Steve Thompson to score.

Pallister sent the tricky conversion wide, leaving Guildford 6-2 in front.

After Robinson had missed a drop goal attempt for Guildford, Winning Post levelled the scores with two penalties by Carling for swinging arms, the first from 30 metres out and the second from 45.

Sandwiched between those kicks was the move of the match by Winning Post. Harrison broke down the left from inside his own half and linked up with John Tattersfield and Alan Willitts before winger Andy Johnson scorched away to the line, only to put his foot in touch.

Winning Post did manage to edge in front before half-time after superb breaks by Carling and Lee Frank set up good field position for Carl Potter slotted over a drop goal.

Robinson tried to reply in kind just before half-time but his attempt went wide.

Again it was tight in the second half but Guildford re-gained the lead when prop forward Martin McTigue steamrollered through three tackles to touch down and Pallister converted.

Back came Winning Post with a try created by Harrison. He skipped round two defenders, drew the full-back and had Willitts in support to score, Carling's conversion putting them 13-12 ahead.

Then came a crucial five-minute spell when Winning Post should have wrapped the game up. Johnson squeezed in at the corner only to drop the ball over the line, then Harrison should have finished off a brilliant break by Tattersfield but the final pass went forward.

It was a double let off for Guildford who made Winning Post pay for their missed opportunities.

With the clock ticking down, Winning Post were penalised for ripping the ball out of the tackle and up stepped New Earswick full-back Pallister to calmly clinch the cup for Guildford.

The man of the match award went to Guildford Counstruction's Lee McTigue.

The Plate Trophy was presented to Civil Service Old Boys' captain Sam Enwright after Sunday's final failed to go ahead as planned because opponents Tang Hall could not raise a team.

Updated: 11:29 Tuesday, May 29, 2001