TALENTED Keighley rugby league player Harry Williams made a flying start to his Yorkshire career last Sunday.

The stand-off, who lives in Denholme, earned selection for the white rose under-19s after an impressive season with West Bowling.

He made his debut as Yorkshire beat rivals Lancashire 25-18 at Stanningley.

Having been at West Bowling for four years, the 18-year-old played a key role in his club's success this year as they stormed to the National Conference League Division Three title.

Williams was to the fore as he won the League's top points scorer prize, his tally of 294 being the highest in all divisions.

That gave him confidence to put himself forward in the county trials and he said: "It was a good season that started off slow but once we got going it was good.

"When I first started playing properly I could see the development in my own game. Last season gave me the confidence to actually go to the trials."

Williams was one of three West Bowling winners at the end-of-season ceremony at Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, with team-mate Danny Halmshaw winning the Division Three player of the year and Glenn Barraclough – formerly on the Cougars coaching team – winning Division Three coach of the year.

They received their awards from Bradford Bulls legend Leon Pryce and Williams said: "It was good to have everyone who was nominated for awards there last Saturday.

"It was really special to see not only all of us but all of the other teams in the league who were up for awards."

Barraclough has overseen Williams' progress and said: "He's a young lad with an excellent attitude towards the sport. He's really committed to the team and he loves his rugby.

"I've been training him for a few years and he is a pleasure to coach. I can see why he is playing for Yorkshire."

Now the teenager is aiming to carry on his success in the tri-county series as the white rose team aim to make it two wins out of two at Cumbria on November 19.

Williams was pleased to make an important contribution as the hosts came from behind to beat Lancashire, kicking a crucial drop goal.

He said: "I kicked the drop goal to take it away from them. We scored late on and I hit the post but luckily it went over. I missed a goal earlier in the game.

"I train with Yorkshire once a week. Everyone is getting used to how we all move and play as we're all from different teams."

Fellow Bradford district player Sam Smith, who plays for Queensbury, featured alongside Williams at centre and had an excellent game, scoring two tries.