Cumbria’s under-17s as they were beaten comprehensively by a strong Yorkshire side who ran out 52 -18 winners at Millom in the opening game of the Three Counties Championship.

The game took a while to get flowing but when it did, it was Yorkshire who struck first through their centre Max Kirkbright with ten minutes played.

The visitors scored again five minutes later when Luke Roe crossed, and with Tyler Fisher converting again, Yorkshire had built up a 12-0 lead.

The visitors were in a relentless mood and they scored two further tries to cement their authority on the game through Fisher and Elliott Bell to take the score to 20-0 at half-time.

Cumbria began the second half better and hit back through Martin Brun after Yorkshire knocked on from the kick-off, Jack Newbegin converted.

However, Yorkshire soon regained control with Ethan Davison going over before Bell went over for his second of the match. Fisher converted both to put his side into a 32-6 lead.

Rio McQuistan scored for the hosts, but Yorkshire continued to punish them with further tries from McGrath and Verity extending their advantage to 44-12.

Cumbria struck back again when Morgan Ackerly scored. Newbegin converted on his home ground, but it wasn’t enough, as the visitors had the final say with two late unconverted tries by Byron Lisle and Gibson.