MIDDLESBROUGH face a battle to hang on to their best young players after being relegated from National Three North following their 33-16 defeat at Beverley on Saturday.

Following their appearances for the England Counties Under 20 side in Friday night’s defeat by Scotland, flanker Carl Kirwan and winger Peter Homan have attracted interest from top Yorkshire clubs.

Kirwan, who has been linked with Rotherham, went on from the bench on Firday, but had little impact and was taken off at half-time.

The forwards were on top for the first 20 minutes and two penalties by Callum Campbell earned a 6-0 lead.

But the pacy imports in the home backs turned the game.

There were two tries for Sam Atiola and one for Junior Tupai and although Campbell added another penalty Boro’s 12-9 interval deficit became 26-9 before winger Jack Bircham scored a converted try.

Among Boro’s opponents next season will be Northern, who avoided a swift return to Durham and Northumberland One by winning their final game at Wheatley Hills.

Durham’s late fightback was in vain in the opening County Championship match against Northumberland at Tynedale.

After leading 24-7 shortly after the interval, Northumberland hung on to win 24-19 after a strong second-half display by the visitors.

The key to success for the hosts was that they scored in the first minute of each half.

Tynedale left wing Alan Rogers crossed in the opening minute for Percy Park fullback Ashley Smith to convert.

A try by Tynedale centre Tom Bramwell then eased Northumberland into a 12-0 lead and although Durham replied with a converted try by Billingham fly-half Joe Evans after 32 minutes, Rogers’ second try in the final minute of the half gave his side a 17-7 cushion.

When Tynedale right wing Hamish Smales crossed 12 seconds after the restart, Smith converting, Northumberland appeared to be in control. But Durham mounted a powerful revival and West Hartlepool hooker Andrew Dixon, on as a replacement, crossed for a converted try and with ten minutes left.

Blaydon’s 18-year-old winger Frazer Wilson then crossed for an unconverted try to set up a tense finale.

􀁧 England A Women were crowned European Trophy champions on Saturday, beating hosts Spain 5-3 in the final with a team which included Darlington Mowden Sharks pair Georgina Roberts and Tamara Taylor.