No title
Last updated 11:20, Monday, 07 April 2008
WHITEHAVEN beat Gosforth Greengarth 37-5 in their Cumbria Plate tie at the Playground.
They dominated the first-half when they had the breeze behind them and at the interval were ahead 27-5.
They made the best possible start with an early try under the posts from Stephen McConnell after a fine break by Steve McCourt. McConnell added the conversion.
McConnell then increased Whitehaven’s lead with two penalties before the home side scored a second try.
George Suafoa picked-up at the back of a scrum and forced his way over with McConnell again adding the conversion.
Gosforth Greengarth came back into the game and were given hope when Jason Graham went in for an unconverted try.
But Whitehaven responded well and scored again just before the break when John Rome went over for a try which McConnell converted.
In the second-half Gosforth Greengarth made it tougher for their hosts and there were only two more tries.
Andrew Blaney scored the first and then full-back Wayne Dixon started and finished the move which brought the best try of the game.
Netherhall travelled to Windermere for their Cumbria Plate tie and outclassed the home team to go through 62-0.
The Maryport side was best in every area and after ten minutes took the lead when Tony Nicholson went down the blind side to feed Andrew Southwell who scored and Paul Atkinson added the conversion.
Five minutes later the tenacious Nicholson made space down the right again and this time he fed Matt De-Bose on the wing who went in for his third try in two games. Again Atkinson converted.
Darren Irwin, playing at number eight, was having an impressive game and scored a well worked try which went unconverted.
Windermere were being run ragged and Netherhall’s pack was well on top which gave their backs good ball and they used it well. Southwell went in for another fine try which Atkinson converted to make it 25-0 at half time.
The second half went the same as the first with big drives by Andrew Renney and Nicky Dixon from the back row taking the visitors into the home 22.
Eventually De-Bose fed Nicholson who put in Atkinson for a good team try. Atkinson converted.
Windermere kicked off but were soon back in their half with a good 30-metre run by the speedy prop Ryan Robertson . He released Ben Brinicombe who raced over for another try which Atkinson converted.
Netherhall were now running the ball from anywhere and good work by Mark Orchard put Atkinson into space and he raced over for a try which he converted.
From the kick off impressive full-back Simon Irving caught the ball and attacked by beating three defenders before handing on to De-Bose. He used his pace to beat his man and then feed inside to Atkinson who raced over for a try which he converted.
Netherhall finished-off the game when Andrew Branthwaite, having his first start since coming back from a broken thumb, punched a hole in Windermere’s midfield. He passed to Atkinson who accelerated and threw a dummy to beat the home defence before going in for his fourth try. He also added the conversion.
Creighton and Cockermouth also played their long overdue tie and it was Creighton who went through 29-0. It was Cockermouth who made a superb start to the match, dominating possession and
territory for the opening ten minutes, causing problems with their good mauling technique. But they couldn't convert pressure into points.
It was Creighton who showed them what should be done as they came into the game and dominated the second quarter by scoring 24 unanswered points.
Dan Smithson opened the scoring on 20 minutes and five minutes later Peter Armstrong crossed for the second.
Simon Turner was the next to cross and right on half-time Tom Reed grabbed the fourth with Matt Rogers converting two.
It was a lot better for Cockermouth in the second half when their younger players shone again and Creighton were only able to add one try, again scored by Armstrong.
