HALIFAX retained rugby union's Yorkshire Cup.

But last night's 19-14 win over Cleckheaton proved far harder to clinch than their two derby successes over the men from Moorend in National III North this season.

It took a second-half try by ex-Huddersfield forward Craig Wilson to decisively sway the contest in III North champions Halifax's favour.

The former lock who is now playing at flanker profited from a strong run by centre Richard Hughes, who looked like he could have gone over himself, and a neat pass by scrum half Joe Bartlett in the 55th minute to put his side 19-9 to the good.

Halifax, coached by ex-Huddersfield YMCA chief Kevin McCallion and also including former Laund Hill centre Jamie Marsden and ex-Huddersfield duo Dave Hall, on the wing, and Adam Blades, at prop, came under late pressure, but held out.

McCallion's side had gone ahead with a 12th-minute Hughes try and two penalties by full-back Aaron Canning.

But Cleck - who fielded former Huddersfield men in full-back Chris Quinn, centre Mark Billington and lock Craig Rika, as well as ex-Giants star John Bentley and Underbank Rangers rugby league player Oliver Akroyd - hit back.

Fly half Glen Boyd kicked two penalties, and had it not been for the sin-binning of Akroyd late in the first half for a foul on Bartlett, they might have troubled Halifax further.

As it was, a third Canning penalty put Halifax 14-6 up by the break, although Boyd reduced the lead to five points with his third penalty for Cleck early in the second half.

Wilson's touchdown gave Halifax vital breathing space, and hooker Steve Worsley's late try for Cleck was of consolation value only.