Ironsides are mainly made up of players from local amateur clubs.

York Ironsides beat last year's champions Barrie McDermott's Ambassadors to win the Fairfax Cup at the York International 9s.

The Ironsides won 16-14 with a last minute penalty goal from man-of-the- tournament Jason Roach.

Tournament organiser Kevin Pratt told BBC Radio York: "We're very pleased with how it went.

"We had good crowds as we always expect at the 9s and there was some great rugby played."

The Ironsides had played in the event every year since it started in 2002 but this was the first time the side had lifted the trophy.

I thought the standard of rugby was really good and there were some players to keep an eye on for the future Organiser Kevin Pratt

Pratt said: "It's a select side from around York so it's a good indication of the standard of rugby played in the city.

"There were one or two people from outside the city to help us along as well with some experience but I think it was just reward for the effort the Ironsides had put in over the whole seven years really."

The competition for developing sides, The Archbishop Dolben Cup was won convincingly by Fife Lions with a 26-8 victory over York Tigers.

"Despite no professional teams I thought the standard of rugby, considering the weather conditions, was really good and there were some players to keep an eye on for the future," added Pratt.