HEWORTH ARLC crowned a superb season in Yorkshire Men's League division one by lifting the top-four championship play-off trophy with a 30-16 victory over Cutsyke Raiders.

The close-fought encounter, played at Featherstone Rovers' ground, saw the table-topping Villagers complete a double - as well as set up a super weekend for the Minster city's rugby league scene ahead of York City Knights' League One title triumph.

Scott Rhodes' team were not at their fluent best, though, and were made to work extremely hard for their success by a tough Raiders outfit.

They led only 14-12 at the break and the second half proved a real war of attrition, remaining scoreless for 27 minutes until Heworth finally exerted their authority by posting three tries in the closing period to ensure the trophy was on its way to Elmpark Way.

The Villagers, playing up the famous slope in the first half, were first on the scoreboard after eight minutes when loose-forward Liam Watling snapped up a rebound from a kick by scrum-half Liam Jackson to cross the whitewash.

Ben Dent, playing at stand-off, converted.

They doubled their advantage on 26 minutes with Watling forcing his way over from close range and dual-reg Newcastle Thunder star Dent again adding the extras.

Cutsyke responded six minutes later with a touchdown by substitute Kavan Griffin goaled by full-back James Cryer.

Two minutes before the break Dent edged Heworth eight points in front with a penalty but the Raiders got themselves right back into the match when centre Jonathan Harvey barged his way over in the closing seconds for a try improved by stand-off Gavyn Lightowler to make it 14-12.

The second half proved to be a tense struggle with both sides striving for superiority.

With Heworth failing to complete their sets and unable to find any rhythm, it was the Raiders who dominated possession and field position in the third quarter.

The Villagers, though, somehow managed to keep them at bay with some stoic defending and the match remained in the balance up until the 67th minute when the deadlock was finally broken.

The Black and Whites worked their way downfield and full-back George Elliott sent Fergus Chapman stretching out over the line to touch down.

Fellow second-rower Joe Deighton's conversion attempt bounced back of an upright but the momentum was now with the York side and three minutes later Elliott settled their nerves even further by muscling his way past several defenders to score, Dent tagging on the extras to make it 24-12.

Cutsyke were not done and rallied strongly to produce a consolation try for lively hooker and man-of-the-match Jack Lees two minutes from time, but the Villagers had the last word in the dying seconds with some trademark slick handling leading to centre Adam Dent crossing in the left corner. Sibling Ben's touchline conversion put the icing on the cake.

Watling was man of the match for Heworth and there were also strong performances from prop Jonny Cambridge, winger Lewis Worthington and hooker Dave Hayes.