DALTON came from behind to claim this year's Harry Warman Cup with a 36-18 victory over Millom in Thursday evening's final at Craven Park.

Dave High's side, which contained a large number of players who have stepped up from the club's under-16s this year, took the game away from their opponents with some scintillating attacking play to lead by eight points at half time.

The second half proved a much closer-fought and sometimes tetchy affair, but Dalton's defence kept Millom at bay and to ensure they got their hands on the trophy.

The Woollybacks already had an 8-6 start on the handicap system utilised in the competition and moved further ahead as early as the third minute when a line break and offload from Paul Carter set up Connor Sykes for the opening try, which was converted by Macaulay Bowman.

Gradually though, Dalton started to claw their way back into the game and drew to within two points again on nine minutes when the ball was moved swiftly across the line with two cut-out passes for Harry Gordon to dart through for a try, followed by Scott Paisley converting.

Another quick attack from the Kelland Park outfit led to their second try on the quarter-hour mark, this time with Sam Purslow setting up Tom Sharpe for an unconverted score. Then after Dalton forced a drop-out, Joe Crarey sent Jack Gedling over for another wide on the left.

Ryan Mason was denied a try for Millom when play was pulled back for a forward pass and Dalton responded by pushing further ahead on 31 minutes when Adam Ellis forced his way over for a try converted by Crarey.

Millom were then dealt a blow when hard-charging prop Carter was forced off with an arm injury, although they did keep in touch at half time thanks to a 37th-minute unconverted score through another of their forwards Craig Wilson, who drove through the Dalton defence to get the ball down.

Dalton hit back within six minutes of the restart though, putting on another good move which saw Purslow provide another assist to one of his team-mate, this time winger Evan Jones out on the right wing.

And the full-back added the final try of the night on the hour, finishing off an attack which was started by stand-off Paisley bursting through the Millom defence and Crarey, who kicked the conversion, offloading to the supporting Purslow after he was stopped just short.

That proved enough to secure the Harry Warman Cup for Dalton, with prop Ben Atkinson taking man of the match honours as well.