ALFIE Hill has lauded the performance by his Yorkshire side in retaining the amateur rugby league County Championship, including the contributions made by the team's York Acorn ARLC duo.

The Tykes beat Lancashire 28-6 in the decider, with Acorn winger Johnny Waldron scoring a try and club-mate Andy Gargan impressing at stand-off on his debut for the county before limping off with 20 minutes left with a slight ankle injury.

York-based Hill, the coach at Acorn, said: "It was brilliant. We played out of this world in the first half. We butchered them and were totally on top throughout."

He added: "Johnny and Andy both played very well. Johnny got over the whitewash again as he usually does, while Andy and Kev Brown at half-back got on top against Lancashire's Great Britain pair, Martin Ridyard and Danny Kilshaw."

Yorkshire scored five first-half tries and a sixth two minutes after the restart - centre Tim Sutcliffe, of West Bowling, completing his hat-trick when combining with Waldron - before Lancashire got their only consolation.

Shawcroft Sharks hooker John Rourke and East Hull centre Martin Johnson got Yorkshire's other two tries, with man of the match prop Gary Lumb, of Cutsyke, adding conversions.

Tough going for North

THE four North Yorkshire RL Service Area teams managed only one win between them against tough opposition from Kirklees in the latest round of representative matches.

The U12s were edged out 10-4. Norths started the stronger with Kris Brinning crossing before Kirklees hit back with tries and a coversion. Norths, with strong performances from Mike Husband, Ryan Gallacher, Sam Whittington and man of the match John Dey, never gave up and were kept out by some superb defence.

The U13s lost 28-4 in an entertaining game. The visitors took advantage of basic errors to build a 16-0 lead, with Sam Orange getting one try back before the break.

Norths, for whom Eddie Smith was man of the match, improved in the second period but Kirklees' defence held firm and their attack scored a further 12 points.

The U14s earned a magnificent 12-10 victory at the Tetley's Stadium, home of Dewsbury Rams. Kirklees led 4-0 at half-time but Norths stepped up a gear and were rewarded with tries by Marc McNeill and Stuart Leeke, Anthony Chilton converting both. Kirklees registered a further converted try but North Yorkshire held out.

The U15s battled hard in poor conditions to contain a strong set of Kirklees forwards.

Both sides struggled to hold the wet ball but Norths' defence kept them in the game with outstanding efforts from York Acorn pair Tom Wadsworth and Oli Hare.

However, they were unable to turn second half pressure into points and Kirklees, already 8-0 up with 15 minutes left, grabbed two late tries to win 18-0. Norths' man of the match was Tom Wadsworth.

All teams play Calderdale this Saturday with the U14s and U15s at home, 11am kick off at New Earswick.