Distington won the Cumbria Men’s League Grand Final when they beat Hensingham 10-6.

This was the fifth time the two teams have met this season and Distington had been the only team to beat the league champions, back in April in the preliminary round of the Cumberland Cup.

In what can only be described as a titanic battle, both teams were clearly up for this game, and both clearly fancied their chances.

In front of a good crowd, both sets of forwards put in some ferocious tackling, coupled with some strong-running and end-to-end rugby.

On six minutes, Hensingham had the chance to go in front, when Distington were caught offside, and they opted to take the two points on offer but missed the kick.

With chances going begging for both sides, there was no score until the 31st minute.

Following an infringement by the Hensingham defenders, Distington were awarded a penalty and Clayton Sutton popped over the goal.

Two minutes later, Distington were then penalised for crossing, and Steven Smith equalised with his accurate shot at goal.

On 38 minutes, Distington regained the lead after being camped on the Hensingham line.

The ball was moved quickly across the line and found Greg Bedford who dived over out wide. Sutton’s touch line conversion attempt hit the upright and bounced out.

With half-time fast approaching, and Distington on the attack, prop Carl Stephenson managed to flick a lovely ball out during the tackle.

Bryan Ritchie took the pass and raced 50 yards to touchdown for a lovely try which went unconverted.

Just four minutes into the second half, Distington were caught offside again, and this time, Hensingham opted to run the ball.

On the final tackle, the ball came out wide to centre Daniel Smith, who beat the defenders and grounded the ball for a try.

Smith’s conversion attempt was just short, but with the deficit just four points it was still any ones game.

The remainder of the second half produced some fantastic rugby from both teams, with Hensingham’s Marc Bainbridge putting in some lovely kicks across field, and Distington’s Bryan Ritchie making constant inroads through the Hensingham defence.

Both teams had tries wiped off by the referee, and the constant battle in the forwards ensured it was a game that had everything.

In the end, it was Distington's defence that held firm and they went home with the silverware.

The official man-of-the-match was awarded to Distington prop Bryan Ritchie, with Hensingham’s Marc Bainbridge a close second.

Distington now have the chance of completing a treble as they meet Seaton next week in the Cumberland Cup final, and Ellenborough, on the September 30, in the EB Lamb Amateur Cup Final.

Supporters of Cumbria Amateur Rugby League have been treated to some fine rugby in the recent finals, and the Iggesund Cumberland ARL Grand Final was no exception.

In the end, Egremont A triumphed 24-6 over Kells A at the Copeland Stadium with little between the two teams.

The first score of the game came on nine minutes when Egremont finally broke Kells’ defence.

After being camped on the line, the ball flew out to Daniel Telford who powered over out wide. Joe Bold added the extras.

Kells hit back almost immediately through Harry Watson, who darted over following a nice move along the line. The conversion was wide but, after 29 minutes, Ryan Doran kicked a penalty to even up the score.

Just three minutes later, Kells took the lead when Jake Parker made a lovely break from the half way line and sprinted over the line to score and at half-time they still led 10-6.

With 10 minutes gone in the second half, Kells’ full-back Doran made a lovely break up field from his own line. He was brought down by Bold with a tackle which was judged to be high and he was given 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Egremont stepped up a gear so that Kells were unable to capitalise on the extra man.

Dean Laverick made a clever, jinking run to evade the defence and touch down for a try under the sticks which he converted himself.

On the hour, Egremont substitute Richard Farrer made a nice break and when the ball was kicked down field, the returning Bold gathered to crossed the whitewash for a converted try.

With 15 minutes of the game remaining, Kells pulled the deficit back to 18-14 when Parker made a sharp break on the last tackle before diving over the line.

With only four points between the two teams, it was still anybody’s game.

It as end-to-end stuff which could have gone either way.

But, on 74 minutes, the final converted try of the evening went to Egremont’s Telford which ensured that the silverware would be going back to Egremont and denied Kells’ the opportunity of the double.