Amateur RL with John Walsh

Published at 11:11, Thursday, 03 May 2012

KELLS edged a thriller at Seaton to lay down strong claims for the Cumberland ARL First Division title.The two very competitive sides slugged it out for first 30 minutes without a point on the board with hard tackling from both sides nullifying some equally very good attacking rugby.

Sponsorship deal:Prospect Sellafield Branch have taken a unique opportunity to sponsor both Whitehaven and Workington town rugby league clubs. Prospect recognise and appreciate the valuable work both clubs’ community development teams do in West Cumbria. Hence sponsoring match balls at the Haven v Salford game and the Town v North Wales Crusaders game. Peter Clements, Prospect Sellafield branch president said: “We have had a great day and it is a pleasure to support our local teams as they are key stakeholders and do great work in our community.”

A last-minute try gave Kells the 22-20 victory after they had been trailing 14-12 at the break.

Scott Burgess and Ryan Blair scored two tries apiece for Seaton with Duncan Moyle kicking two goals.

Kells also scored four tries through Carl Schofield (2), Martin O’Neill and Lewis Smith, but Ryan Robb’s four goals proved crucial.

Tom McGeen picked up the man-of-the-match award for Seaton while Dave Lowery was outstanding for Kells.

Broughton Red Rose are struggling to make an impact at the minute and they were hammered 70-0 by a rampant Maryport side at Papcastle Road.

It was virtually all over at half-time with the visitors enjoying a 30-0 advantage and they more than doubled their tally after the turn-round.

The Maryport tries came from Mark Foster (3), Sam Forrester (2), Mark Lister (2), Phil Holliday (2), Liam Vickers, Ben Carter and Tony Nicholson. Mark Walker kicked nine goals and Craig Foster landed two.

Hensingham are another club struggling at the moment and they had to call off their home clash with leaders Distington as they were unable to raise a team.

Glasson came from 4-0 behind at half time to beat Seaton A 20-4 as tries from Dean Petrie (2), Brian Patterson and Nathan Lucock, plus two goals from Les Taylor turned things round for them.

Scott Burgess, who had played for the Seaton first team the night before and scored two tries, got the A team try.

The other First Division game saw Wath Brow beat Cockermouth 60-22 in an 11-try success.

Karl Dixon led the way with four touchdowns and Jason Connery landed eight conversions. The other tries came from Jamie Sharp (2), Martin Wise, James McLellan, Greg Dawson, Fran King and Peter Caddy.

Cockermouth scored four tries in reply through Sean Woolf (2), James Sewell and Watson. There were also three goals by Watson.

In Division Two there were four games played but unfortunately there was another postponement as Glasson were unable to take a second team to play Kells A.

There have been concerns over the future of the Frizington club but they rallied round, took their scheduled home game to Lowca, and came away with a creditable 28-28 draw.

Lowca scored six tries to Frizington’s five but the goal-kicking of Dean Armstrong proved crucial as he landed four for the draw. Scott Rooke could manage only two for Lowca.

Bur Rooke did get over the Frizington line on two occasions and he was joined on the score-sheet by David Colley, John Thinneson, Liam Campbell and Graham Lowrey.

The Frizington tries came from Thomas Carruthers, John Close, Kyle Farrell, Adam McGrady and Phil Flavell.

The best game in the Division was at Egremont on Friday night when the home side just pipped Clifton Lions 24-23.

Lewis Beckwith of Egremont was orchestrating for them as was Danny Jones for Clifton until Egremont’s Steven Harrison set Alistair Leak up to go under the sticks and Beckwith goaling.

Beckwith was setting the pace making a great break passing to Harrison who scored in corner with the kick from Beckwith.

Danny Jones of Clifton sold a great dummy going under the sticks and leaving an easy kick for Hill.

Half time 12-6 for Egremont.

Ten minutes into the second half defence was to the fore before Brian Park scored a good try, Hill goaling.

This gave Clifton the momentum to take the game to Egremont with Clifton’s Huddart next in.

Clifton put the pressure on with good attacking rugby, Steve Tuke scoring a good try, Hill goaling. 22- 12 for Clifton.

Egremont’s Beckwith scored the try of the game, kicking goal as well. This was swiftly followed with a drop goal from Tony Huddart – 23- 18.

Clifton thought they had done enough but Egremont’s Steve Harrison broke Four would-be tacklers to set Leake up to score a match winning try, goaled off by Beckwith – 24-23.

Clifton threw everything into the final push and were going in for a certain try until Quirk pulled Jones back as he went to touch down denying them victory.

Ellenborough were too strong for Salterbeck and ran out comfortable 72-12 winners in a really symmetrical game, for it was 36-6 in each half.

Jamie Dunn (3), Kevin Hoban (3), Steven Stoddart (2), Andrew Burns, Liam Cullen, Ryan Wilson and Liam Wilson scored the Ellenborough tries. Stoddart added 12 goals.

There was a strong Workington Zebras presence in the Salterbeck side as Bede O’Conner and Chris Boyd scored their tries with Robert Scott landing two goals.

Aspatria surprised leaders Flimby and won 20-12 to continue the good run of form they have been showing.

Ricky Holliday, Mark Irwin, Stuart Creighton and Dar6yl Creighton scored the Aspatria tries with Luke Johnson putting over two conversions.

Flimby, who were suffering their first League defeat, scored tries by Carl Grima and Lewis Crellin, both converted by Scott Hodgson.

n The first round of the SJR Cumberland Cup takes centre stage this weekend, with the first round losers going into a new Plate competition.

Friday: Maryport v Lowca (6.30pm.

Saturday: Aspatria Hornets v Seaton Rangers; Clifton Lions v Wath Brow Hornets; Glasson Rangers v Ellenborough; Broughton Red Rose v Frizington; Distington v Kells.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk