December 15, 2001

By Steve Coulter

THE worth of Egremont Rangers 27-4 E.B. Lamb Amateur Cup first round victory over Glasson Rangers was highlighted by a magnificent defensive effort midway through the first half.

Eventually Rangers streaked away, but it was their tenacity in protecting a 14-0 lead that stood out.

Winger Darren Block put the Gilfoot Park side ahead on 5 minutes with a penalty awarded by referee Neil Byers when Glasson were caught lying on.

The visitors were attacking energetically and forced Egremont to drop-out after one period of sustained pressure, but failed to penetrate a solid looking home defence.

Stand-off Richard Herbert was at the heart of all Glasson's effort, while much vaunted centre Mark Smith forced Block into try saving tackles on two separate occasions to prevent the visitors going in front.

Egremont's second-row-forward Stephen Long, was revelling in the exchanges and a brilliant 35 metre break on 20 minutes saw centre Andrew Little in support to take an inch perfect pass and score between the posts. Block converted.

A telling surge by Paul Telford after 35 minutes took the hosts just short of the Glasson line and from the resulting play-the-ball, hooker Lee Park burrowed over from dummy-half; and with Block's conversion, Egremont led handsomely at he interval.

Egremont withdrew forwards Daniel Whalley and the influential Long shortly after the restart and appeared to lose some cohesion in the process.

Glasson, playing neat and tidy football and gaining maximum yardage through prop Chris Fisher, got their reward after 56 minutes when Smith crossed for an unconverted try.

Long's return to action heralded an attacking spree by the home side and almost increased their lead on 70 minutes when Andrew Hidne was adjudged to have knocked-forward over the line.

More pressure on the visitors line saw Park drop a great field-goal, before Kevin Brown came off the bench as a wing replacement to crash over on 75 minutes, after Long had again been instrumental in its creation. Block landed a towering touchline conversion.

The final try on 77 minutes of an entertaining contest was a carbon-copy of the first. Long made another storming break and again, Little was at his elbow to take the pass and score behind the posts. Block added the goal and Egremont were through to a quarter-final showdown at second division leaders Broughton Red Rose.

Egremont spokesman Stephen Bowes was purring at the quality of entertainment served up.

"It was one of the best games seen at Egremont all season. There was plenty of good football from both sides and was thoroughly enjoyable.

"Richard Herbert and Mark Smith were outstanding for Glasson. Herbert was particularly sharp in his organisational skills, while Smith impressed me greatly.

"Glasson gave Egremont an intense examination and only a resolute defence repelled them on more than one occasion.

"For Egremont, Stephen Long was probably the one who stood out most with an extremely impressive performance.

FOUR minutes of footballing brilliance from Kells centre Ian Brannon was all that was needed to finally destroy any hopes Wigton harboured of an E.B. Lamb Amateur Cup semi-final appearance.

Two tries in a four minute spell just after half-time gave Brannon his hat-trick in a Man-of-the-match performance that propelled the Welfare Ground side to their fourth semi-final appearance in five years with a 36-16 victory.

It was Brannon who gave the home side the lead after 16 minutes when he shot through for an unimproved try. And the lead was doubled two minutes later when brother, Chris Brannon sliced through for a touchdown, which loose-forward Dean Bragg converted.

Stand-off Chris Brannon who picked-up the vice-presidents choice of Man-of-the-match, rocked Wigton again in the twenty-fourth minute with his second try of the game, to ease Kells into a commanding 14-0 lead.

Wigton, buoyed after last weeks much improved showing against Glasson Rangers played a full part in the spectacle and hit back two minutes before the break with a try from winger Steve Crozier.

Ian Brannon completed his hat-trick within seven minutes of the restart with strikes in the 43rd and 47th minutes - the first a fabulous 60 metre solo effort, which was again improved by Bragg.

Wigton, with a never-say-die attitude kept pushing forward and on 50 minutes were rewarded with a try from Matthew Gibson. Justin Bennett added the extras.

Scrum-half Bennett was a constant threat to the home side throughout the 80 minutes with his skillful use of the ball. And his defence in so many vital situations was absolutely superb.

Kells introduced substitute Darren Wilson who immediately proved his worth when he trundled over for tries in the 69th and 72nd minutes; both improved by Bragg.

Wigton however, had the last word when stand-off Paul Southward raced in for a try, which he improved himself.

Kells spokesman Russell Lofthouse said:

"It was pleasing to get back to the Welfare Ground for the first time in about three weeks. The surface was in excellent condition and held up very well.

"It was a good competitive cup-tie with some fine individual performances. Justin Bennett had a fine game for Wigton, while referee Paul Grundill was excellent."

HOOKER David Pettit and stand-off Mark Rooke pulled top class games out of the hat on a murky, afternoon at the Ranch; inspiring Westfield to a 29-22 E.B. Lamb Amateur Cup quarter-final victory against battling Seaton Rangers.

And when stringbean middle-back Lee Hunter stunned the village side with a sparkling brace in the opening twelve minutes, both converted by Rooke, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for the visitors.

They didn't have it all their own way though, and it took a massive second half effort by the Moss Bay outfit to emerge victorious, after Seaton staged a spirited fightback to close the gap at the halfway point through tries from Mark Taylor and Duncan Moyle; the latter also slotting over a goal.

An early second-half try from Westfield scrum-half Josie Hewer, goaled by Rooke gave the home side a ten point cushion and a late try from full-back Ryan Blair, again converted by Rooke, proved to be the decider.

Craig Humphries and Martin Wilson responded with touchdowns for Rangers, while Moyle added two more goals.

Rooke completed Westfield's scoring with a deftly struck drop-goal after good field position had been claimed.

Westfield coach Graeme McKenzie was happy with the win.

"Seaton pushed us all the way as they did when we beat them 24-14 in the league back in September.

"We have to be happy with a win at this stage of the competition and a good performance against either Egremont or Broughton in the next round would see us in the final.

"Mark Rooke was tremendous for us today, he made yards every time he touched the ball and his goalkicking proved the difference at the end," he said.

LOWCA ran riot against Great Clifton Lions in Division Two, to record the days biggest score 78-6.

There was no shortage of effort from a committed Lions side, but quite simply they had no answer to the big powerful forwards and pacy backs of Lowca.

The game was over as a contest long before half-time when the home side led 40-0, and proceeded to rack-up fourteen tries to one.

Scrum-half Lee Allen took the personal honours and the Man-of-the-match award for his five-star, four try contribution, while hooker Graham Lowrey and centre David Colley ran him close with a hat-trick apiece.

Lowca prop-forward Philip Anderson had a huge game for the home side without getting on the scoresheet.

Other touchdowns came through second-rower Stuart Ennis, loose-forward Gary Haile, prop Carl Ennis and stand-off Lee Weighman, who also collected eleven goals from fourteen attempts.

Gary Mewse replied with a try for Great Clifton, with Wayne Walker kicking a goal.

WATH Brow Hornets slipped elegantly into the third round of the Nutri-Grain Rugby League Challenge Cup with a comprehensive 37-12 victory over Conference Division One opponents Wigan St. Judes.

The Cumberland League champions were in total command from the moment stand-off Carl Rudd knocked-over a 5th minute penalty and it was an hour before the home side registered their first points when Dave Watson crossed for a try converted by Shaun Staziker.

By then Hornets had galloped to a twenty-two points lead and the result of the match was never in doubt.

Rudd followed his early success with further penalties on thirty and thirty-three minutes, before adding the extras to a try from skipper Ian Rooney two minutes before the interval.

Ten minutes into the second period and Hornets increased their advantage to eighteen points when prop David Currie blasted over. Rudd again converting.

Man-of-the-match Paul Davidson epitomised Brow's determination in defence and purpose in attack with a magnificent performance; the mistake rate was minimal and the tries came with great backing up and support play.

Second-rower Mark 'Trevor' Troughton added his name to the scoresheet after 55 minutes, before St. Judes finally breached Hornets defence with that 60th minute score from Watson.

A touchdown from hooker Scott Anderson after 65 minutes was followed by the obligatory drop-goal from scrum-half Andrew Hocking five minutes later to stretch the lead to 27-6.

Winger Gary Elliot compounded Wath Brow's superiority with tries in the 73rd and 76th minutes. Rudd adding the conversion to the latter.

Saints Gavin Corfield grabbed a consolation score for the hosts with three minutes remaining. Staziker tagging on the goal.

Wath Brow spokesman Martin Brough said:

"The lads got right into their faces from the first whistle and although they had a massive pack we soon dominated that area of the game.

"Big games from the likes of Carl Rudd and Scott Teare when he came on, unerved St. Judes to the extent that we came away with a far easier victory than we anticipated.

"Personally, I hope we draw another amateur side in the next round and hopfully one of the really 'big fish' in round four."

EDDIE Robinson once again took on the role of Ellenborough Rangers chief playmaker against Conference outfit Normanton Knights with devastating results.

Time and again he ignited Rangers attack with clever ball work to spearhead a superb 16-6 Challenge Cup victory - and pick-up the Man-of-the match award.

An early joust between two excellent packs set the scene for an afternoon of heavyweight clashes which Ellenborough won.

However, Elbra got off to the worst possible start when they fell behind after only five minutes to a an unconverted try from Knights second-rower Leigh Riddle. But the setback was only temporary.

From that point on Elbra's pack led the way with a series of barnstorming mcharges. The outside men were then allowed the freedom to play in the open style on which they thrive.

Two tries in the space of fourteen minutes - both orchestrated by Robinson gave the Cumbrians a lead the never lost.

Winger Philip Hoyles hauled the scores back level with a try in the corner after 20 minutes, which McGee failed to improve. But the former Great Britain second-rower was on target with a superbly struck penalty on 31 minutes.

With six minutes remaining of the half Neil Humes increased Rangers lead with a majestic score out wide.

An incredible struggle ensued at the beginning of the second-half with both defences cancelling each other out, and it took a penalty from Normanton full-back Ian Morse on 55 minutes to produce the first points of a gruelling second forty.

The Knights fluffed three goal opportunities and with the game entering the crucial last quarter the next score looked more and more likely to prove vital.

Almost on cue, Robinson produced a little bit of magic to deliver the gamebreaking score after 68 minutes. McGee made no mistake with the conversion and Elbra played out the remaining twelve minutes for a famous victory.

AN horrendous casualty list forced Flimby to cancel their trip to Distington when only twelve players reported fit.

Secretary Tony Nisbit said:

"We have three out for the rest of the season and coupled with work commitments we were down to the bare-bones this week.

"There's certainly no lack of interest, it was just a combination of factors over which we have no control."

On a week-end when five of the eight scheduled fixtures were called-off, Penrith's Division Two game with Salterbeck Storm was the only one to fall foul of the weather when the aptly named Winters Park was frozen.

Glasson Rangers were unable to provide a ground for their Alliance match against St. Nicholas 'A', while Wigton 'A' failed to raise a side to entertain their Hensingham counterparts.

The rearranged Egremont Rangers 'A' and Seaton Rangers 'A' game was called-off on Friday night.

* THE draw for the E.B. Lamb Amateur Cup pairs 1999 finalists Kells against either Hensingham, Penrith or current holders Wath Brow Hornets.

Westfield, through to their fourth successive semi-final and beaten finalists against Ellenborough Rangers in 1996 will meet the winners of Broughton Red Rose (finalists in 1996) and last seasons runner-up Egremont Rangers.

The semi-final draw:

Hensingham or Wath Brow Hornets or Penrith v Kells; Broughton Red Rose or Egremont Rangers v Westfield

* THE Kellogs Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup Third Round draw will take place on January 3rd 2002.

* THE Under-18s Service Area Championship was brought to a conclusion when the North defeated Yorkshire 18-12 at Preston Sports Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The day got off to the worst possible start for the North when four of the Barrow based contingent failed to arrive at the pick-up point.

However, the squad of 14 who did travel responded magnificently to coach Alan Davidson's call for a big effort.

Wath Brow Hornet Graeme Mattinson gave the North a dream start when he took a pass from clubmate Craig Calvert who had latched on to a dropped-ball by the Yorkshire full-back. Kells BARLA Young Lion Ryan Robb added the goal.

Calvert extended the North's lead with a great individual try in the corner as the Yorkshire defence tried in vain to bundle him into touch.

The White Rose county hit back with unconverted tries either side of half-time to get within striking distance at 10-8. But a brilliant try from Kells hooker David Agnew occupying a wing slot, ran in behind the posts for a try, converted by Maryport's Andrew Cartwright.

Robb swapped penalties with his Yorkshire counterpart to wrap-up a great performance from the North.

Area manager Jackie Beech said:

"It was a superb effort and I can't speak too highly of the fourteen lads who made the trip to Preston.

"The format of the competition has had its problems logistically and it certainly didn't help our cause in having to give up home advantage when London and the South intimated their reluctance to travel this far north.

"So on the whole, I think the lads can take a lot of credit from finishing runners-up."