Cumbria League

Last updated 11:39, Tuesday, 22 April 2008

NETHERHALL won their last home Cumbria League game to secure second place and to go into the promotion play offs against Burnley.

They beat Egremont 31-15 at Maryport in what turned out to be a game of two contrasting halves because of a strong gusty wind.

The home side started well with strong forward pressure which forced Egremont back into their 22. From the ruck Ben Brinicombe made a strong run down the middle before feeding Jonathan Burnyeat who was pulled down short of the line.

The ball was moved blind by Andrew Southwell to big powerful winger Andrew Patterson who crashed over in the corner. Paul Atkinson put over a fine conversion.

Egremont were soon back in their own 22 following big raking kicks from Atkinson and Carl Philips.

Ian Gorley, having another fine game in the line, took one against the throw and the forward drive was used well by props Lewis Tyson and Ryan Robertson.

Egremont’s defence was split when Steven Knowles made a break to feed Gorley and he raced 30 metres for a try which Atkinson converted.

Egremont came back and worked their way into the home 22 and were awarded a penalty which full back Jack Kelly converted to make it 14.3.

From the kick-off Netherhall were awarded a penalty just inside their half. Atkinson opted to have long range kick which was successful.

The last five minutes of the half saw the home forwards camped on the visitors’ line. Another big run by Brinicombe was stopped by a last ditch tackle.

Netherhall won the scrum and mauled towards the line where Lee Towers, who was having an excellent game, drove over for a try which Atkinson again converted for a 24-3 half-time lead.

The second half was played similar to the first but this time it was Egremont who were kicking with the wind and putting Netherhall back into their 22.

From one such kick the ball was won back and moved across the backs for winger Glyn Butler to score an unconverted try.

Not long after that Kelly made a break and managed to beat two defenders to score a good try which he converted to close the gap to 24-15.

It needed some terrific defensive work by the back row of Andrew Renney, Knowles and Burnyeat to deny the visitors another score.

The game was settled when Andrew Branthwaite made a break and fed Simon Irving who was having another good game. He fed on to Patterson who brushed aside three defenders on his 30 metre run to score. Atkinson put over the conversion.

Keswick completed their season with a 36-7 win at BAE Barrow to go through the season unbeaten. The champions dropped only one point in a home draw with Millom.

They went in front with a penalty from Mark Ireland but were then under the cosh as the home forwards gave a strong account of themselves.

It was no surprise when BAE grabbed the lead with a converted try. Gradually, however, they came back and by half-time had established a 25-7 lead. Great long kicks from Brian Storey, John Hine and Mark Ireland turned defence into attack with the big wind behind them.

Quick line-out ball enabled Ireland to slice through for their opening try which gave them the lead and they built on that.

They were awarded a penalty try after Hine was obstructed going in and Ireland added the conversion. Ireland kicked another penalty and then Hine followed up a chip over the home defence to score a try which Ireland converted.

BAE had the wind in the second half but once Keswick had held their early response there was a chance to re-establish control. Good work by David Ray and Richard Fletcher helped set-up a second try for Hine and Ireland picked-up a loose ball after a great tackle from Michael Branthwaite and raced 75 metres to score the last try which he improved himself.

Cockermouth continued their run of improved performances and were 22-5 winners over Workington Steelers with Andrew Skillen recording a personal tally of 17 points when he knocked over another penalty.

Creighton had a good 36-17 win at Wigton Wanderers to bring the curtain down on their League campaign.

Captain Gavin McGuire and Ashley Lamont were the only two regular starting first team players to travel to Aspatria with Millom on Saturday. Most of the others were on tour in Edinburgh, injured or unavailable.

So travelling with only 14 players including coaches Gordon Park at hooker and Jason Slater at stand off, Millom expected a bit of a thumping.

However by the end of the game the team was disappointed to go down 14-12 having had three possible tries ruled out by the referee because he couldn’t see the grounding.

Whitehaven and Gosforth Greengarth were in action against each other for the second time in a month. As in the Cumbria Plate clash, Whitehaven came-out on top – this time by 46-12.

They had got off to a good start when Nick Twinn broke through from full-back and raced 35 metres to score the opening try which Stephen McConnell converted.

The visitors drew level when they scored a try soon afterwards from John Irving and Sean Madden added the conversion.

Greengarth took the lead through top scorer Matt McGoogan. Two late penalties from McConnell put Whitehaven back in front.

Jennings set them on their way in the second-half when he went over for a try which McConnell converted.

Good driving work by the forwards ended inn George Suafoa going over for a try, again converted by McConnell.

Whitehaven’s best handling move of the match ended with winger Chris Flynn touching down in the corner for a 32-12 lead.

Jennings scored his second try after Suafoa had popped-up a pass to him near the line. McConnell converted.

Then skipper Mark Lancaster got in on the act when he shot through to score the final try, again converted by McConnell.