A LATE converted try from Jake Penrice helped Cumbria under-19s kick off this year's Three Counties Series with a 20-18 victory away to Yorkshire on Saturday.

The county youth squad, coached by Dalton head coach Dave High, feature six representatives from the Barrow & District area alongside their West Cumbrian counterparts.

Askam pair Zak Steele and Keir Shepherd, Millom forwards Charlie Emslie and Connor Terrill, and Barrow Island duo Shane Sanderson and Elliott Campbell were all on duty for the county in the opening clash of the series at York Acorn.

And it proved the perfect start to the annual tri-series for the under-19s as they overcame the hosts in a see-saw contest.

Yorkshire took an early lead with a converted try, but the visitors hit back when half-back Shepherd set up Aspatria's Rhys Burr for a score which was converted by Wath Brow full-back Sam Curwen.

An unconverted try for the hosts saw them lead 10-6 at half time, although Cumbria were back on level terms soon after the restart when Curwen powered over for an unconverted try after Shepherd had been held up just short.

Another unconverted try saw Yorkshire edge ahead again, only for the home side to knock on from the restart.

This led to Cumbria working an attack from a scrum which was finished by Cockermouth's John Irving and converted by Curwen.

Yorkshire again hit back with a third unconverted try, but Cumbria would not be denied and an unconverted try out wide from Penrice sealed the win.

Cumbria's open-age side were edged out 14-12 in their opener against Yorkshire, with Barrow Island's Blain Marwood scoring one of their tries.

Ulverston half-back Connor Saunders converted both as well, while the visitors had a potentially match-winning score inside the final 10 minutes ruled out for a forward pass.

The Three Counties Series continues this Saturday when Cumbria host Lancashire at Millom, with the under-19s aiming to seal victory in the competition.

Meanwhile, five players from the area will be heading out to Fiji on the same day as part of the BARLA Lions tour to take on the Pacific Islanders

Askam duo Mark Tyson and Tom Hopkins, Millom's Lee Postlethwaite and Barrow Island's Sam Jones are all part of the 24-man squad, although unfortunately Postlethwaite's clubmate Ethan Kelly had to withdraw due to injury.

The tour comprises matches against Fiji West, Australian Affiliated States and Fiji Bati reserves twice.