Keighley Cougars 22, York City Knights 18

PAUL March could not hide his delight after Cougars deservedly lifted the iPro Sport Cup in thrilling style at a sun-drenched Bloomfield Road.

Keighley largely dominated the lunchtime showdown in a curtain raiser at the Summer Bash, where all 12 Championship clubs played a round of league fixtures over two days.

Saturday’s final provided a moment in the sun for League One and for clubs such as Cougars and York who have designs on a place in the Championship next year.

With the iPro Sport Cup now under lock and key in the Cougar Park trophy cabinet, March’s side will aim to win promotion in the coming months.

This dramatic victory came courtesy of a try two minutes from time by centre Charlie Martin, who grounded a clever kick by man of the match Paul Handforth to overturn York’s lead and seal the win.

The result went some way towards erasing the pain of last year’s two promotion final defeats at the hands of Oldham and Swinton.

Former York boss March, who celebrated with his players and supporters at Cougar Park on Saturday night, said: “It feels sweet and I thought we were the better side throughout.

“When they scored in the last few minutes, I thought we were dead and buried.

“But the attitude and desire of the players showed through and we got over the line.

“York are a quality outfit and it was two evenly-matched sides out there, so I'm just glad that we got over the line third time lucky.

“Our focus now is on League One and getting promoted.”

March left out former Bulls youngster Adam Brook and put another ex-Bradford prospect, Liam Darville, alongside old campaigner Handforth in the halves.

The move paid off but it was York who led in the 11th minute when Mike Emmett sent skipper Jack Aldous over the line.

Yet Cougars soon replied when Darville found Paul White with a smart pass and the winger touched down in the left corner.

Five minutes later, Rikki Sheriffe finished off a fine break down the left flank and that made it 10-6 at the break.

Six minutes after the restart, ex-York man John Oakes barrelled over the line for a third Keighley try.

But York refused to lie down and in the 59th minute former Cougars scrum half Jonny Presley collected Aldous’ pass to score a converted try.

Five minutes from time, centre James Morland went over from a crossfield kick but three minutes later Martin sealed it for Cougars and Handforth added his third goal.

Handforth said: “Winning this trophy was one of our goals at the start of the year and it feels absolutely fantastic.”