The region's interest in the Rugby League Conference finally ended in Sunday's semi-final games.

Both Teesside Steelers and Newcastle Knights travelled to Sheffield for the second of two double headers over the weekend, but sadly both fell tantalisingly short of progressing further.

In the major Harry Jepson Trophy tournament defending RLC champions Teesside were beaten 24-16 by Hemel Stags, the team they themselves had put out of the competition at this stage last year.

Tries from Evans and Norman had four goals from Gowing contributed to a thrilling first half that ended at 16-16, but a penalty and converted try in the second half were enough to give victory to the Stags, with Teesside making too many errors as they sought to get back into the game against a solid defence. it was Steeler's first defeat in two years, and such are the Teesside club's high standards that it will have been a disappointing end to the season that saw them retain their North-East Division title with ease.

In the consolation tournament, the RLC Shield, Newcastle travelled to face Bedford Swifts on a high after superb win over Derby City in the final play-off game snatched them a place in the last four. Bedford stormed to a 14-0 lead before Newcastle scrum half Rendles got the Knights on the scoreboard.

Try machine Phil Pitt added another to make it 14-10. A scrappy try from a hacked through loose ball widened the margin for the Swifts, but two scorching tries from Mason set up a storming finish. However despite scoring only three tries to Newcastle's four, it was the Swift's goal kicking that made the difference.

A drop goal put Bedford 21-20 ahead, and when Irwin's attempt to level the scores went wide, it was to be the Swifts that ended the scoring, a further one pointer making the final score 22-20.

Trophy semi-finals: Coventry Bears 21, North London Skolars 18; Hemel Stags 24, Teesside Steelers 16.

Shield semi-finals: Bedford Swifts 22, Newcastle Knights 20; Crewe Wolves 14, South London Storm 21.