HUDDERSFIELD’S excellent Academy side lifted the Yorkshire Under 19 Cup with a thrilling 10-5 victory over York in the final at Moortown.

Despite controlling 80% of the possession and territory in the first half, they still found themselves trailing 5-3 at half-time after spurning a series of try-scoring chances and a couple of penalty shots.

The unluckiest was midway through the half, when winger Eliott Knight beat his opposite number and sprinted down the line, but the covering full-back just managed an ankle tap tackle which caused Knight to spill the ball over the line.

York then scored on their very first incursion into Huddersfield territory when they kicked ahead, the ball was allowed to bounce and ended up in the arms of the left winger, who went over the line unopposed.

Huddersfield replied before half-time with a penalty from Luke Booth to reduce the deficit, but from the re-start York began to show more inventiveness and their back line began to dominate.

Huddersfield’s defence was tested to the full, but they were not found lacking, and despite the pressure rarely let York get beyond the five-metre line.

With 10 minutes remaining, centre Harry Whitfield took up the ball and broke his way through, and with an overlap, he chose to dummy and then forced his way through three defenders to go over the line for the match-winning try.

Sam Hirst added the extras, and although York tried to stage a grandstand finish, Huddersfield held firm to complete a super Cup victory.

They will now play in the Cock ‘O’ The North Finals, which are being staged at Lockwood Park, on Sunday, May 8, when the top four League and Cup sides from Yorkshire take on their counterparts from the North West Colts League.

The event will feature some of the brightest rugby talent in the North of England and will be a fitting end to the season.