Brow’s promotion bid fails
Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 14 May 2008
WATH Brow Hornets’ brave bid to return to the top flight of the NCL at the first attempt has ended in disappointment.
Hornets, who still have the little matter of the Ace Insurance (Europe) Barla National Cup Final against newly crowned NCL champions East Hull outstanding, had to avoid defeat at rivals Thatto Heath Crusaders on Saturday to secure promotion from Division One.
With a superior points difference to that of the St Helens outfit, a draw would have been enough; and, in the event, Wath Brow came agonisingly close to joining Wigan St Jude’s and York Acorn in the Premier Division in 2008/9.
Hornets enjoyed a bright start, centre Francis King kicking a penalty in the first minute.
But the ascendancy was short-lived, Thatto easing to a 12-2 lead by the interval with a couple of converted tries.
Wath Brow forced their way back into contention when centre Gary Elliott powered over 11 minutes into the second period, King again improving.
The Crusaders, however, responded with a converted try on the hour mark. And although Hornets posted a try in the 71st minute by substitute Liam Martin – King maintaining a 100 per cent record with the boot – the Crusaders held out in a tense last nine minutes.
Second row Mickey McAllister was outstanding in a contest in which many in the Cumbrian camp felt that Thatto Heath perhaps benefited from a number of marginal refereeing decisions.
Cockermouth, re-formed only two years ago, have added the Division Two Top Four trophy to the league leadership cup thanks to a 32-16 verdict over Lowca in Friday’s final.
Lowca started brightly in each half, Dean Morgan crossing shortly after the kick-off and Andrew Harper nipping over early in the second period.
The underdogs also had the satisfaction of notching the last try of the game, Carl Ennis touching down, while Keith Campbell kicked two goals.
Cockermouth, though, held sway otherwise and were 22-6 ahead by the break.
Barla Great Britain centre John Patrick crossed twice, and Phil Bell, Liam Wild, Mark Haycock and Mark McMillin popped over, with Craig Fisher firing four goals.
