Cumbria scored a dramatic 20-18 win over Yorkshire at the start of the BARLA County Championship Tri Series for Under-19s.

They will play Lancashire at Millom ARLFC on Saturday, when victory would earn them the county title.

The open-age side need to beat Lancashire at the same venue to stay in contention for their title as they lost 14-12 to Yorkshire at York Acorn.

Depending what happens in Cumbria the decider on November 18 will be either a dead rubber or a title-decider.

But there is all to play for in the next round of matches for both sides in what has been an exciting weekend for Cumbrian rugby league.

The Under-19s did particularly well as Yorkshire had been age group champions in 2017.

The Tykes had gone ahead on 11 minutes with a try from winger Ryan Hilton, which was converted by Jordan Page.

Cumbria drew level with a try by Rhys Burr which was then converted by Wath Brow’s Sam Curwen.

But then a try from winger Ben Selby edged Yorkshire ahead 10-6 at the break.

Yorkshire had their stand-off Liam Morley sin-binned for alleged punching after 53 minutes so they were down to 12 men.

And during his absence Cumbria made them pay with two tries.

Curwen crossed and so too did second-rower John Irving of Ellenborough, one of which was converted by Curwen.

Selby did get over whilst Yorkshire were still down to 12 men but Cumbria led 16-14 going into the last quarter.

It looked ominous when Page crossed the Cumbrian line to edge his side back in front.

But, with time running out, Distington winger Jack Penrice delighted the Cumbrian contingent by getting in for the winning try to make it 20-18.

In the open-age game, it was role reversal as it was Yorkshire who scored the last try to edge the match.

They had scored the opening try through full-back Craig McShane but midway through the first half Cumbria went in front.

Barrow Island’s Blain Marwood went in for a try which was converted by Ulverston’s Connor Saunders.

Yorkshire were able to turn round 8-6 ahead at the break with a second unconverted try from Ben Strong.

A fine try from Ellenborough’s Luke Penrice in the second half edged Cumbria back in front, helped by the Saunders conversion.

It was tightly fought throughout but, almost at the death, winger Liam Copland put the hosts level with a try and then went on to win the game after slotting over the conversion.

Lancashire will host Yorkshire at both age groups on Sunday, November 18 at Leigh Miners Rangers.