December 8, 2001

By Steve Coulter

WATH Brow Hornets are eighty minutes away from re-writing the Cumberland Amateur Rugby League history books yet again

A 24-2 semi-final victory over Seaton Rangers set them on course to become the first club to win four successive Jennings Cumbria Cup finals - and on this form, it would appear to be no more than a formality.

Rangers fought tooth-and-nail from start to finish and took the lead after three minutes when winger Duncan Moyle coolly slotted over a penalty.

The lead lasted just two minutes before Hornets scrum-half Andrew Hocking latched onto a clever inside pass from skipper Ian Rooney to scoot over for the opening try. Full-back Gavin Curwen converted.

Curwen extended the home sides' advantage to six points after 13 minutes when Seaton were penalised for lying-on.

Midway through the first period Rangers staged a series of raids under the strong leadership of ex-Whitehaven and Workington Town star Colin Armstrong, and it was only Hornets cast-iron defensive capabilities and lost possession by the visitors, which enabled the holders to keep their line intact.

The tackling was intense by both teams, brutal at times, and delivered with a fair degree of venom, as neither side offered to take a backward step in greasy conditions.

Highlight of the afternoon came after 27 minutes when home winger Craig Calvert accelerated past four would be tacklers on a wonderful arcing run for a try between the posts. Curwen had the easy task of adding the goal.

A great slip-pass from the outstanding International forward Paul Davidson - who for once completed a game without picking-up an injury - sent Neil McCartney in for the first of a brace of tries on 33 minutes. Curwen again goaled.

If anything, Seaton moved-up a gear in the second-half and matched the champions blow for blow in a rugged forty minutes.

With defences in total command and clear cut chances at a premium, it was left to the roving McCartney to cross for the only score of the second period, after Rooney had again laid the foundations.

Mike and Andrew Melville foraged incessantly for Rangers, while the club seem to have unearthed a real gem in hooker Matthew Robinson, who made a huge contribution to the visitors defensive effort.

Seaton secretary David Steele was anything but disappointed with Rangers showing.

"It was a typical cup-tie with both defences on top throughout. But very enjoyable.

"We had to bring a couple of players in from the Alliance side who hadn't had a game for four or five weeks, and obviously weren't match fit.

"Wath Brow scored a couple of great individual tries, but other than that I though we coped very well. They certainly didn't run over us and we kept them down to a single score in the second-half. he said.

ELLENBOROUGH Rangers Jennings Cumbria Cup semi-final showdown with Kells fell foul of the weather twice over week-end.

Originally scheduled for Friday evening at Solway Park, the tie was quickly rearranged for Saturday at Miltofts, when the Grasslot pitch became unplayable.

With hefty overnight showers on Thursday, it became clear that the second venue too, was in an unfit state and Ellenborough reluctantly called-off the game.

BARLA have insisted that the game must go ahead no later than December 17th, but with the weather forecast not being too optimistic and Ellenborough committed to Kellogs Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup duty at Conference side Normanton Knights on Saturday, the Final, penciled in for December 29, could be in jeopardy.

Ellenborough chairman Wilson Smith said:

"A postponement is the last thing we wanted. There will have to be a big improvement in the weather before either Solway Park or Miltofts is anywhere near being fit to stage a match. Both are holding water and are going to need a considerable drying out period.

"I will be contacting Kells to see what can be arranged, but with work commitments and other considerations it won't be easy to find a date suitable to both clubs."

EGREMONT Rangers completed their first double of the season with a convincing 29-0 victory over St. Nicholas at Gilford Park.

Saints conceded eight points in the opening five minutes, and from then on it was always going to be a struggle to get back on terms.

Martin Stalker was twice sin-binned for indiscretions, and each time Rangers exploited their numerical advantage to put points on the board.

Ahead 15-0 at the break with tries from Kevin Brown, Graeme Colley and Lee Park; plus a Darren Block conversion and a field-goal from Andrew Hinde, Rangers never looked in any danger of losing.

Solid performances from second-row pair Terry Glencross and veteran former Carlisle Border Raider Tony Scott, gave Nichs a glimmer of hope, but Stalker's second stint in the bin resulted in an immediate try from Hinde. And with a further three goals from Block, Rangers were home and dry.

St. Nicholas spokesman Craig McCullogh was disappointed that Nichs failed to register a victory, particularly after their narrow defeat at Egremont back in September.

"They really caught us by surprise and had eight points on the scoreboard before we knew what was happening.

"Obviously, the sin-binnings later in the game didn't help, but we just didn't perform on the day.

"We had quite a good twenty minutes in the second-half, but reduced to twelve men for a second time put paid to any hopes of a comeback."

A WHIRLWIND start by Hensingham left Westfield with a mountain to climb in a first division top-four clash at Moss Bay.

Hensingham bamboozled the Workington side with three tries in the opening half, as they shot to a commanding 14-6 lead at the break.

BARLA Young Lion Craig McAvoy, at the hub of the Copeland clubs recent up-turn in form, raced in for a brace of tries and landed three goals as Hensingham eventually hung on for a 26-24 victory. Mark Nicholas, David Armstrong and Stuart Miller also crossed for the visitors.

Westfield, who lost their unbeaten home record, crossed for tries through ex- Workington Rugby Union convert David Pettit, two, winger Gareth Morris and centre Lee Hunter, who must surely be in contention for a County Championship call-up. Mark Rooke converted all four.

Hensingham showed glimpses of their true potential and must be ruing their indifferent start to the campaign. The skills, the power, the pace and the depth were all there. If consistency can be harnessed, then there is no reason to suggest that something can't be salvaged from a season which promised so much.

Westfield coach Graeme McKenzie was simply glowing despite the defeat.

"It was a cracking game of Rugby League, with a bit of just about everything you could wish to witness.

"We suffered a bit up-front with a lack of weight, but that's not an excuse, Hensingham are a good all-round combination.

"We haven't got a prop available in the club at present, so we're mixing and matching to put a side out on the field.

"It was tough and competitive with a great deal of skill and commitment from both sides, and you can't ask more than that."

WIGTON are still searching for that elusive first win of the season in division one after going down 16-18 to Glasson Rangers.

But nothing could be taken away from the visitors ferocious defence. They applied pressure from the outset and swarmed all over Glasson to frustrate their every move.

For an hour of a pulsating clash at Netherhall, the North Cumbrians looked certain of getting off the mark and were good value for their 10-6 lead after forty minutes.

Glasson edged in front through a penalty from second-rower Barry Goodfellow, but two goals and two field goals from the visitors Justin Bennett and a Chris Smith try saw Wigton deservedly in front.

Rangers had the better of the game territorially, but suffered from their inability to convert their advantage into points.

In the end Glasson's superior fitness proved decisive and two tries from centre Mark Smith and substitute Ross Tinkler, and a goal apiece for Goodfellow and Greg Rowley proved sufficient to earn the points.

Wigton's Graham Patterson powered in to keep the game alive and Bennett's conversion represented a good all-round performance from the bottom club.

Ryan Scotter, who started the game on the wing for Glasson, moved to hooker and on to scrum-half, before returning to the flanks, was outstanding for the hosts, along with Goodfellow, who also toiled indefatigably in both defence and attack.

Glasson coach Mike Easterbrooke said:

"I'm amazed Wigton have still to win a match this season, its certainly not through any lack of effort.

"We haven't had the best of weeks following the sudden death of young David Fletcher, who was with us from the age of eight.

"The minutes silence before the game put everything into perspective and I think our performance was reflective of the solemn mood.

"Nevertheless, once we started to follow the game plan we just about deserved it.

"We have achieved what we set out to do this season, which was to win enough games to stay in the first division.

"I have to be happy with that."

BROUGHTON RED ROSE outslogged Salterbeck Storm 28-6 to go back top of division two, in a contest that failed to reach any great heights.

For all their purpose and hardline defence, Red Rose looked decidedly weary in a first-half they just about deserved to come through in front.

As things were starting to get desperate, however, two spectacular second-half tries rekindled their championship aspirations against a Storm outfit who fell away badly as the game progressed.

Hooker Steve Brough led the way for the visitors with two vital touchdowns, while there was a try apiece for centre Brian Edgar, substitute Steve Fryer and scrum-half David Thurlow, whose five goal contribution took him past the half century mark and back to the top of the goalkicking charts - three ahead of Wath Brow Hornets Gavin Curwen.

Stand-off Paul Hodgson grabbed Storms six points through a try and goal.

FOUR tries from Steve Cameron and bursts of inspiration from Carl Birkett and Mark Pattinson were central to a 38-10 victory for Maryport against an improving Flimby.

The work put in by coaches John Harrison and Ray Fiddler, is having the required effect if this latest performance by Flimby is anything to go by.

Ten points behind at the interval, Flimby were still in with a shout with twenty-minutes still remaining, but match fitness proved decisive as the game entered its final stages and Maryport pulled away from a tiring village side.

Tries from centre Ian Farrell and prop Jackson Irving, plus a goal from inside back Wayne Dustin brought Flimby back into contention during the second period. But a Lee Fletcher try coupled with five goals from Andy Pearce gave Maryport a comfortable margin at the end.

Flimby spokesman John Hodgson was in upbeat mood after the game.

"It was a super match overall and everybody is pleased with the way things are shaping.

"We put in a great effort today, probably our best performance of the season so far.

"The lads are starting to believe in themselves and there is a buzz returning to the club that hasn't been there for a long time.

"Everybody is looking forward to each game with relish and that can only be for the long-term good of the club."

GREAT Clifton Lions laid the foundation for their 24-16 victory over Distington with a combination of sustained forward aggression and some cavalier backline play.

The home side raced to a 18-6 half-time lead with a double-strike from stand-off Wayne Walker, who also slotted four goals, and scrum-half Mark Walker.

Tries from Grant and Ian Dryden, and Terry Davidson, plus two Ryan Worthington goals brought the Grass Road side back into contention, but a vital touchdown from Lions second-rower Geoff Nicholson sealed the win.

Referee Appointment Officer Peter Gaston was immpressed with official Lee Skelton's handling of the match.

"Lee was very impressive in all aspects of his game, and is developing into a first rate referee.

"I couldn't fault him all afternoon.

Wigton 'A' failed to raise a team for their Alliance fixture against Glasson Rangers 'A', while the Egremont v Hensingham second team match scheduled for Friday evening was called-off due to the condition of the Gilfoot Park playing surface.

Penrith's second division game against Lowca was also a late casualty, following a lunchtime pitch inspection on Saturday.