York 16 Sheffield Eagles 42: Lauulu-Togagae triple sees off battling York

But it was Eagles full-back Quentin Lauulu-Togagae who secured the points as he waltzed to another hat-trick as Sheffield scored four times without reply during the second period.

The first 40 minutes had fizzed and popped as the lead changed hands six times, with hooker Jack Lee swivelling 180 degrees from acting half to touch down and give York an early advantage.

But Sheffield always looked dangerous in attack and after Menze Yere was held short of the line, Mitch Stringer ploughed through to score with Dom Brambani adding the first of his perfect seven conversions.

York regained the lead after Ben Johnstone’s break from acting half under his own posts then saw James Ford give a superb pass out of the back of his hands for George Elliott to run through. Michael Knowles ran a good angle to once again push the Eagles ahead only for Johnstone to reach out and touch down after a determined run despite being scragged by numerous defenders.

But the defining moment arrived with less than a minute left on the watch as Elliott’s loose pass less than five metres from the try line was readily accepted by Yere with his offload giving Lauulu-Togagae a length of the pitch run and Sheffield a two-point lead at the break.

Sheffield controlled the second half despite brief York flurries as Yere’s touchdown broke the club record for tries in a season with 36 so far and Tom Armstrong scored at the death.

York: Carr, Elliott, Ford, J Latus, Flockhart, Johnston, Presley, Potter, Lee, Aldous, Scott, Mallinder, Pickets. Substitutes: Iley, Lyons, Bell, Stenchion

Sheffield: Laulu-Togagae, Taulapapa, Yere, Armstrong, Finigan, Walker, Brambani, Battye, Henderson, Stringer, Knowles, Straugheir, Hirst. Substitutes: Roche, Higgins, Szostak, Sanders.

Referee: G Hewer (RFL).