Yorkshire 27 - 11 Lancashire
DEFENDING Champions Yorkshire moved into the Semi-finals of the National Under 20 Championship when they won the Northern group by beating Lancashire at Hull.
That was due in large part to the resistance provided by their opponents, who raised their game to ensure that the calibre of the Roses match was fittingly competitive.
In scoring four tries to one and never being behind, Yorkshire deserved their success, but they were made to fight all the way by a Lancashire side that provided the sternest test they have encountered so far in the competition.
Penalties by Yorkshire fly-half Greg Lound (Hull) and his opposite number Ollie Carter (Vale of Lune) provided opening rewards for both teams before Yorkshire claimed their first try after 23 minutes, good approach work creating the space for wingman William Robinson (Hull) to squeeze in the corner for a try on his home pitch.
Yorkshire twice looked certain scorers as their superior scrummaging had Lancashire in desperate straits on their own line, but each time the ball was lost, while first-class cover defence kept out centre Peter Homan (Middlesbrough) when he carved through the first line of defenders.
A Carter penalty cut the deficit for Lancashire, but Yorkshire pack power eventually proved decisive after 32 minutes when Ben Dorrington (Hull) emerged off the side of a driving maul to cross and give the home side a 13-6 interval lead. Yorkshire looked to have botched another push-over opportunity when the ball was kicked through into the Lancashire side of the scrum, but the rebound fell straight into the grateful arms of No 8 Ben Morris (Westoe), to drive over for a try that replacement fly-half Sam Watkinson (Durham Un/Ripon) converted from wide out.
Lancashire stayed in contention with a smart try by full-back Sean Taylor (Preston Grasshoppers), who arrived on cue for the scoring pass after wingman Tom Banks (Westoe) had snapped up a loose ball following a strong Yorkshire attack to turn defence into a try-scoring attack. But Yorkshire had the last word in injury time when replacement Ben Sowery (Wharfedale) produced a bulldozing charge that carried him 20 yard through the most of the visiting pack for a fine solo effort that Watkinson converted.
Semi-Final Draw:
Yorkshire v Gloucestershire or Dorset & Wiltshire
Hampshire v Leicestershire
Games to be played on the 17th April ko 2-15
Final at Twickenham 17th May ko tbc
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