By Helen Graham

CURRENT London Bronco and former Haven star Robert Purdham was the Egremont hero on a chilly night back in February 1998 – when they caused a major upset by defeating Workington Town 18-0 in the Challenge Cup.

The teenager collected the man of the match award that night but there were 17 heroes on the field who managed to nil their pro opposition.

Egremont joined an elite band of amateur clubs that night, who had defied all the odds to move on in the then Silk Cut sponsored competition.

Over 3,000 fans flocked to the Recre to watch the clash on a Friday night and they were treated to a pulsating clash.

Town’s cause was not helped when second row Paul Penrice was sin binned after just three minutes and Egremont ran out deserving winners.

The Purdham brothers were instrumental in opening Egremont’s account, as Garry started the move which saw brother Robert jink over for a fine try, which full-back Willie Richardson converted.

Richardson went on to add a penalty for an 8-0 lead for the amateurs.

The second half went the way of the first with Egremont looking the most likely to score and so it proved when hooker Mark Beckwith intercepted a stray Workington pass after 70 minutes and raced 60 metres to touch down for the try of the game.

He punched the air in delight as he placed the ball between the uprights, leaving Richardson an easy conversion to send the Egremont following wild with delight.

Egremont still weren’t finished and when Stephen Morris, who came on for player/coach John Brocklebank midway through the second half, sent out the pass to wingman Geoff Blacklock to score the final try out by the corner, their victory was complete.

When match referee Ian McGregor brought the game to a close Egremont players were wildly applauded by their supporters as the Workington Town team looked dejected as they trooped off the Recreation Ground.

The Egremont forwards out played their professional counterparts to set the platform for their victory and it was a deserving Egremont who moved into the fifth round for the first time in their history.

Egremont went on to lose 84-6 at the hands of Sheffield Eagles in the following round with Warren Stainton scoring Egremont’s only consolation.

It was a superb Egremont team who recorded this famous victory, and they went on to win the National Conference League title that season.

After a tough few years where they had to drop out of the top flight and ply their trade in the Cumberland League - which they did quite successfully, Rangers are now back in the Conference League set-up and so they earn their place back in the Challenge Cup.

This weekend they will host fellow NCL counterparts Ovenden, who they have already faced this season, in a tough tie at Gillfoot Park, kick off 1.30pm.