November 3, 2001

By Steve Coulter

THE quest for league points took a temporary backseat last week-end as all attention focused on the second-round of the Jennings BARLA Cumbria Cup.

WATH Brow's Craig Calvert continued his phenomenal run of success with another masterly performance against a disappointing Hensingham, bobbing up with two excellent tries, being super-effective in defence and generally terrorising the opposing backs.

Hornets thoroughly deserved their 36-2 victory, earned with poise, confidence and optimism and the result was seven fine team tries.

The swift passing, the precise movement, the backing up and the ability to cover their few mistakes quickly, mark them a very special side. The backs are more than complemented up front by some very willing forwards, in particular Mark Troughton, who "trails" everything that moves.

Mick McAllister, Craig Johnston and Troughton had big games for the home side as they look set to claim their fourth Cumbria Cup honour in a row.

Hornets led from the 6th minute when Gary Clark took an inside pass, rounded the fullback and score wide out. Gavin Curwen's attempted conversion faded to the left.

Four minutes later and Calvert extended the lead with a try in the corner after a great break from skipper Ian Rooney. Curwen hit the post with the resultant conversion attempt.

Brow had another score wiped-off by Referee Paul Grundill for a forward pass before BARLA Young Lion Craig McAvoy reduced the arrears for Hensingham in the 29th minute with a penalty, awarded for holding down in the tackle.

Again Hornets pressed and Calvert was denied a second touchdown when adjudged offside.

Curwen brought the half to a close with a penalty, awarded in front of the posts after Hensingham were caught holding down.

Carl Hewer was fighting a losing cause for the visitors, flinging out passes in an effort to release his backs, and making two magnificent breaks which would have brought tries against lesser sides.

Hensingham were reduced to twelve men after 48 minutes when BARLA Tourist Tony Hill was shown a red card after tripping Andrew Hocking in the act of scoring.

There was a total breakdown in Hensingham's discipline and Glyn Hyslop was lucky not to follow Hill when punches were thrown.

The game as a contest was over when Craig Johnston crossed on the hour, and further tries from Derry Eilbeck and Gary Elliot, plus another two goals from Curwen emphasised Wath Brow's dominance.

ST. NICHOLAS can count themselves highly unfortunate to be out of this seasons competition after a 16-22 reversal against North-West Counties Premier Division outfit Barrow Island.

The vastly influential Andy Sawyers failed a late fitness test for Saints and secretary Andrew Hodgkinson had to be drafted into an under-strength City side.

It was the introduction, of former Workington Town points machine Dean Marwood, the Furness clubs player-coach, who changed the course of the game with his educated distribution.

And despite the luxury of having eighty per cent of the play in the first-half, Nichs found themselves trailing at the break.

Island had started very loosely and looked vulnerable up the middle as the Saints began aggressively.

Marwood's experience proved invaluable as the Barrow side built-up a 10-0 half-time lead with tries from Andy Clarke and John Wright, plus a goal from Lee Bowen.

Within five minutes of the restart however, Saints were level at 10-all. Firstly Scrum-half Mike Marsden was on hand to finish off a searing break by Martin Stalker, converted by Craig Stalker.

And then full-back Steve Bitcombe glided over almost immediately to drag the scores back level.

Second-rower Terry Glencross was in outstanding form for Nichs and former winger turned hooker Tony Palmer, was also prominent and could have saved the game in the last minute when the ball was dropped inches from the visitors line.

Three further goals from Craig Stalker completed Saints scoring, while a John Smith try and another four goals from Bowen saw Island safely through to the last eight.

PENRITH winger Darren Luck produced another superb attacking game to engineer the North-Cumbrian's 28-16 win over Salterbeck Salterbeck Storm at Winters Park.

Penrith had the look of a hungry street-fighter about them as they coasted to a 28-0 half-time advantage.

Full-back Dennis Bibby set things moving in the 5th minute with a fine individual try, converted by stand-off Mark Brookes.

A fabulous movement which saw the ball move through seven pair of hands, resulted in Luck rounding the Storm full-back to score a sensational try under the posts to extend the home sides lead. Brookes again converted.

The game was all but sewn-up midway through the half with two barnstorming touchdowns from loose-forward James Stainton who busted the Salterbeck line in similar fashion on each occasion. Brookes converted both.

Luck had the final say of the half with his second touchdown, again under the posts after a kick through.

Salterbeck rallied superbly during the second period. Although they took a number of wrong options and made some critical errors as they hammered the Penrith line with wave after wave of attack, it's difficult to see how they could have done things much differently.

Their fine effort during the final forty was rewarded with tries from Dave Hill, Andrew Fearon and Paul McNicholas who finished off some fine handling by streaking 40 metres to touch down. Vince McNicholas landed two goals.

THE adjectives used to describe Westfield range from controversial, enigmatic, unpredictable to brilliant.

And after the biggest upset of the day you can add despondency to that list. Coach Graeme McKenzie was absolutely gutted after his side had been bundled out of the competition 22-28 by Glasson Rangers.

He said: "We really struggled late on, particularly after losing Steve Clifton (leg) and David Goulding (ribs) with what appear to be serious injuries.

"The injury situation at the club now is critical and looking around the dressing room I just don't know if we will be able to put thirteen able-bodied men on the field next week - as things stand at the moment we haven't a pack!

"All credit to Glasson, they deserved the win and we wish them luck in the next round. I thought Nicky Crellin was outstanding.

"Referee Gareth Hewer was equally eye-catching, with his superb handling of the game.

Rangers came into the game minus the leadership of Steve Maguire who was a late withdrawal after sustaining a back injury at work. Forward Gary Nixon was also an absentee from the visiting pack.

Westfield led 16-14 at the break and looked set to continue their unbeaten home sequence, but buckled to the awesome strike-power of centre Greg Rowley who crossed three times, Nicky Crellin, two, and Ryan Ivison also touched down. Centre Mark Smith kicked two goals.

Crellin was universally acclaimed man of the match, for an unyielding performance in attack and an almost brutal, but fair display in defence.

Westfield scored tries through Lee Hunter, two, Wayne Brash and John Hunter. Mark Rooke booted three goals.

FIRST Division Seaton Rangers fought-out an amazing game with Second Division Broughton Red Rose before winning 18-16, and the right to go in the hat for the quarter-final draw.

It was a game that had everything, brilliant attacking play from both teams and bone-jarring defence that was unrelenting.

The second half produced some of the best entertainment of the season as both sides threw caution to the wind and played exhilarating football. Play fluctuated from one end to the other and there were some memorable last-ditch tackles.

Seaton took the lead after 12 minutes with a try from the deceptive Paul West, before winger David Thurlow hit back for Broughton five minutes later with a glorious touchdown.

Thurlow put Red Rose in front on 22 minutes with a penalty, and their lead was stretched to eight points when Philip Hewitt breached the flimsy Rangers defensive line in the 38th minute. Thurlow tagged on the conversion.

With Broughton looking good value for their lead it was left to winger Les Smallwood to inject some razzle-dazzle into a restrained Seaton performance. Neat and purposeful in all that he did, the ex-Pack Horse star skated over 5 minutes after the interval to reduce the arrears to four points.

Ten minutes later and West crossed for his second try of the afternoon, the evergreen Colin Armstrong added the extras to ease Rangers in front.

Broughton, with great resilience fought back and reclaimed the lead after 60 minutes through veteran Kevin Beck.

During the following 10 minutes the Papcastle Road side gave it everything and with an ounce of luck could have come up the clinching try and it was only inexperience from their young brigade that caused the movements to break down.

In a frenzied finish, a quick Seaton raid with eight minutes remaining saw the hosts pull the the game out of the fire when young winger Martin Wilson flashed in for an unconverted try.

Seaton coach Paul Hodgson had nothing but praise for the blossoming Broughton side.
"They are one of the best sides we have played all season in any competition.

"With the exception of prop Craig Armstrong who was at a wedding, we were at full strength and they certainly stretched us.

"I have no doubt that barring any mishaps they will be playing in the First Division next year," he said.

THE 2000 Cumbria Cup finalists Egremont Rangers faced an intriguing trip to the west as their first hurdle in this seasons competition and were made to fight all the way by a stubborn Maryport side before recording a 38-26 success.

There was no passive submission from Maryport as they rocked the First Division side to the foundations. The second division side measured their passes, they broke the defence, and in the twinkling of an eye, loose-forward Mark Foster and stand-off-half Gary Southwell, ravaged Rangers with their combined guile and penetration.

Despite the home sides resolve, Egremont led 20-14 at the half-way stage and capitalised on superior fitness in the later stages.

Maryport's tries came from Foster, two, Southwell, two, and David Bayliff, while Andrew Cartwright kicked three goals.

Graeme Colley, two, Andrew Little, Steve Long, David Hartley and Daniel Whalley crossed for Egremont. BARLA Under-21 International Darren Block slotted over seven goals.

KELLS capitalised on Ulverston's slack second-half defence to to set-up a Cumbria Cup quarter-final showdown with Penrith.

While the first-half was relatively even, Kells did show glimpses of what was to come with some intelligent attack which had the North-West Counties Premier Division side under severe pressure.

Locked 12-12 at the break, Kells played champagne football in the second half to take the game comfortably 48-12.

Kells took the lead after 9 minutes with a try from scrum-half Paul 'Chipper' Graham, which Ryan Robb converted.

Stand-off-half Chris Brannon extended the hosts advantage with a try on 18 minutes. Robb again adding the extras.

Kells at this point looked well in command, but Ulverston rallied midway through the half to level the scores. Stand-off Dave Thompson kicked a 24th minute penalty and half-back partner Mike Worrell crossed the home line 4 minutes later for an unimproved try.

The comeback was complete after 29 minutes when Thompson breached the home defence for an excellent touchdown, which he also converted.

Two minutes after the re-start the introduction of ex-Whitehaven pro Craig Chambers had an immediate effect when he crashed in for a try. Robb again landed the goal.

With prop Chris McKee gaining good yardage and Brannon finding huge holes in a flagging Ulverston defence Kells proceeded to take the visitors apart.

Prop Lee Rutherford barged over for a try on 46 minutes and with Robb's conversion the Copeland outfit led 24-12.

Chambers scored his second try of the game two minutes later as Ulverston looked a well beaten side. Robb converted.

Army representative Kevin Agnew got in on the act with a super try after 62 minutes. Robb landing the goal.

Robb, who was enjoying a personal points bonanza strolled in for a 64th minute try which he also converted. And was on hand to add the extras to Dean Bragg's try on 67 minutes to wrap-up a solid Kells performance.

Both Kells secretary Russell Lofthouse and Ulverston chairman 'Tosh' Winfield complimented referee Peter Bridle on his excellent handling of the game.

ELLENBOROUGH Rangers had a walk-over into the last eight of the Jennings Cumbria Cup after Millom conceded their scheduled tie.

* EGREMONT RANGERS called off their Alliance fixture with St. Nicholas 'A' on Friday evening after a fault was discovered in the floodlight system.