RU – Cumbria League

Published at 11:07, Thursday, 01 March 2012

WHITEHAVEN completed their Cumbria League programme with a 51-5 home win over Aspatria Eagles which means they will face a play-off for promotion after finishing runners-up to Keswick, six points behind the champions.

The points were nicely spread as they led 25-0 at half-time and added another 26 in the second period.

Richard Postlethwaite landed two early penalties with centre John Rome going over for two tries. The best try came when Steve McCourt sent Mike Gaffney away and he was up in support to take the return pass and go over for a try. Postlethwaite added two conversions.

In the second-half Rome completed his hat-trick while Gary Blakeley drove over for another touchdown. Postlethwaite crossed twice while Blakeley added three conversions.

Jack Clegg, a first team scrum-half who had gone to watch, was invited to join the replacement bench and got an early call after an injury. He went on the wing and midway through the second-half scored the Eagles only try in the corner.

Whitehaven coach John Gaffney was particularly pleased with Rome, normally a back row forward who played in the centre and helped himself to a hat-trick.

“In addition Liam Tunstall, a flanker who hates to play scrum-half, did so and was our man of the match,” said Gaffney.

Winger Mark Worsley grabbed a last minute try to give Workington Steelers a 16-15 home win over Creighton.

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