December 29, 2001

By Steve Coulter

WATH BROW HORNETS unleashed yet another wave of awesome power in registering a record breaking fourth successive Jennings Cumbria Cup final victory against Copeland neighbours Kells.

The snow-covered Lakeland Fells provided a picturesque backdrop for Cumberland Rugby League's first showpiece game of the season, at the Cumbria Academy of Sport stadium.

Wath Brow though, deserved the accolades directed their way after a fine 46-6 victory - the biggest score and widest winning margin in the competitions history.

A pack which features experience and toughness up front, diligence and reliability in the back row and an element of creativity provided by half-backs Carl Rudd and Craig Johnston, complements superbly a backline of immense talent.

It was an irresistible performance by the Hornets, eight tries tells its own story and a bustling, scrambling defensive effort limited the recently potent Kells attack to a single first half touchdown.

For Kells to come back as they did, against the attacking brilliance of a Hornets outfit which had started like a dream, typified the manner in which the Welfare Ground side have played all season.

Hornets however, were too strong all round, and their brilliance in attack and absolute belief in their own ability, were the determining factors in the end.

Even when Kells had fought back to 10-6 on the twenty-five minute mark, the Hornets always looked confident.

Skipper Ian Rooney was at full throttle and his rousing display was reminiscent of the man monster who used to terrorise defences the world over in his days as a BARLA International. He created havoc out wide and whether he chose to run or pass, the result was the same .... yards and more yards.

It was Rooney who set Hornets on course as early as the 5th minute when he sliced through from 35 metres, sidestepping three attempted Kells tackles to score a superbly executed touchdown. Full-back Gavin Curwen slotted over the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

Kells, despite the early setback looked comfortable and centre Matty Newell and prop Lee Rutherford probed through the Hornets middle, brushing aside attempted tackles and taking the ball deep into enemy territory.
Ex-Whitehaven professional Craig Chambers, loose-forward Dean Bragg - being watched from the stand by a host of Super League and NFP clubs - and back-row-partner Dexter Miller all proved lively as Kells continually searched to level matters.

Back-to-back sets of six after a kick-through by Chris Brannon ricochet back off a defender almost saw Kevin Agnew over, but the hooker lost control of the ball as he looked a certain scorer.

However, it was Wath Brow who went further in front after 18 minutes when they broke out of a critical defensive state to power upfield, and when Curwen intelligently turned the ball inside, Gary Clark took the pass at speed to flash over for a try, which Curwen uncharacteristically failed to improve.

Kells restarted with a cunning short kick-off, Hornets David Currie reacted quickly and took a strong hit from prop Chris McKee, and a stray knee from a second tackler, resulting in a serious head wound which required hospital treatment. Happily, Currie returned to the sidelines and was able to witness Hornets receive the trophy from Jennings Brewery Director of Sales, Andrew McLure.

There was no passive submission from Kells in the early exchanges and they rocked the holders to the foundations on 22 minutes when stand-off Chris Brannon outwitted the Hornets defence to step-through three tackles, for only the second try conceded by the Cleator Moor side in this seasons competition. BARLA Young Lion Ryan Robb guided the conversion between the posts and at 10-6 an upset looked possible.

The Kells side were measuring their passes, causing problems to the defence, and in Bragg and scrum half Paul Graham, they had a combination capable of capitalising on any errors in the opposite ranks.

Both sides endured some nervy moments before Curwen increased Hornets advantage to 12-6 with a penalty right in front of the posts, awarded by Barrow referee Leon O'Brien on the half hour for holding down in the tackle.

The turning point in the game came just two minutes later when Wath Brow's colossus, Rooney was set free after hooker Scott Anderson made the initial break and sheer speed and strength saw the skipper go 40 metres for a magnificent try. Curwen added the goal.

A high tackle by Rutherford on Brow substitute Scott Teare saw Hornets mount another surge from the resultant penalty. Kells held firm, but another penalty moments later for crossing, saw Hornets move the ball wide for Craig Johnston to dive in for a killer score. Curwen added the extras for a 24-6 half-time advantage.

A minute into the second-period and Wath Brow ploughed further ahead. Pinned in their own 20 from Kells' kick-off, Teare broke through, only to be grounded by Rutherford. A knock-on by Kells after the ball was kicked through, was picked up by another Kells defender who was in front of the original offender, the referee gave an offside decision and a quick play-the-ball was whipped to winger Craig Calvert who raced in at the corner. Curwen piloted over a towering conversion.

Kells forced a drop-out under the posts after Kevin Agnew, Miller and Graham combined, only to see the latters final grubber-kick, booted dead by Calvert. A poor restart from Carl Rudd saw Kells almost reduce the arrears, but after pressure by Bragg and Alan McGuiness, Robb was brought back for offside.

Man-of-the-match Curwen turned tryscorer on 55 minutes, fed at speed some 40 metres out, he scythed through the heart of the Kells defence to ground the ball at the side of the posts. He added the goal for a 42-6 lead.

Rutherford, who had performed heroically in a lost Kells cause, blotted is credentials with a 69th minute sin-binning for an offence at a play-the-ball - the only card produced during the entire eighty minutes.

The final act of a comprehensive Wath Brow victory was left to winger Gary Clark who crossed with sixty seconds remaining.

Only the National Cup has eluded Hornets during their four year dominance of Cumbrian Rugby League, on this form, maybe they can finally fulfill that dream - don't bet against it! KELLS: Ryan Robb; Phil Walker, Ian Brannon, Matty Newall, Karl Kirkbride; Chris Brannon, Paul Graham; Lee Rutherford, Kevin Agnew, Chris McKee, Craig Chambers, Dexter Miller, Dean Bragg. Subs: David Dickinson, Alan McGuiness, Robert Nicholson, Darren Wilson.

WATH BROW HORNETS: Gavin Curwen; Craig Calvert, Ian Rooney, Gary Elliot, Gary Clark; Carl Rudd, Craig Johnston; Jonty Moore, Scott Anderson, David Currie, Mark Troughton, Paul Davidson, Andrew Stables. Subs: Neil McCartney, Garry Todd, Scott Teare, Neil Stewart.

Referee: Leon O'Brien (Barrow)

Attendance: 550

Man of the Match: Gavin Curwen (Wath Brow Hornets)