By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 12:05, Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Distington proved the toast of rugby league to win the inaugural Aspatria Hornets Rugby 9s title.

Aspatria RU’s Lee Tinnion runs with the ball

The Cumberland League outfit warmed up in style for the return to action this week after their summer break, proving too strong for talented RU gatecrashers Aspatria to take the Abram & Clark Prestige Cup final 24-12 and claim the first prize of a Canterbury of New Zealand rugby kit.

Hornets’ chairman Algie Reynolds said: “The day exceeded all our expectations and we are extremely pleased with the way the tournament panned out. It was an enjoyable day and all the teams played their part and the games were played in a good spirit.”

Aspatria Hornets had looked capable of pulling off a shock win against Distington in their opener but were pipped 12-6 with Distington scoring in the final second of the pool game.

Seaton also had a winning start overcoming Maryport 16-6.

A youthful Wigan St Pats team also had a great opener beating Salterbeck Storm, who were late entrants into the competition, 10-0.

Seaton then recorded a second victory overcoming Wath Brow 18-6.

Ellenborough beat town rivals Maryport 8-4 in Group A to give them two wins from two.

Wigan St Pats beat fancied Distington 10-8 in Group C. And Ellenborough then underlined their intent by routing Seaton 16-0 in a feisty affair with both teams reduced to eight men after two players were yellow carded. Aspatria Hornets routed Salterbeck 30-0 in a comprehensive win that gave them plenty confidence ahead of the knock-out stages.

As the weather warmed up so did the action, Aspatria RUFC and Glasson battling out a 4-4 draw with no quarter given in a physical encounter.

Glasson and Aspatria also recorded wins over Clifton Lions. Ellenborough Rangers defeated Wath Brow 8-0 in their opening pool game and looked like they could challenge for honours. The Hornets blew a good chance to qualify for the cup when they let slip a lead against Wigan St Pats to lose 8-4.

After the group games teams were split, based on performances, in to cup and plate competitions. In an enthralling qualifier for the cup semi-final, Glasson and Distington could not be separated after normal time so went to golden try extra-time, the village side breaking the deadlock to move into the cup semis winning 18-14. In the plate semi-finals, Aspatria Hornets brushed aside the challenge of their Cumberland League Division Two rivals Clifton 22-0 and Seaton moved in to the final with a 29-10 victory over Salterbeck.

Meanwhile in the cup competition, Aspatria RUFC came away with a 10-6 victory over Wigan St Pats that took them in to the final and a chance to claim the spoils in the rugby league tournament.

In the other semi-final Distington edged past Ellenborough with only a conversion separating the teams.

Seaton earned a 20-6 victory over Aspatria to claim the M&A Cleaning Services Intermediate Cup final.

Ellenborough also returned home with a bottle of Champagne after the club’s Kevin Hoban romped home in the tournament’s fastest man race.

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk