September 1, 2001

By Steve Coulter

THE Cumberland Amateur Rugby League season opened in a lively fashion despite steady rain and brisk south-westerly winds throughout the county.

Match of the day was undoubtedly at Hensingham where the home side played host to an Ellenborough outfit looking to mount an early title challenge.

In a game that was always going to be a close affair - only one point separated the sides over two games last season - defences dominated for long periods, and clear cut chances were minimal.

Paul McGee had the opportunity to edge Rangers ahead during the first quarter but pulled his penalty kick wide.

The only score of the game came on thirty-three minutes via a penalty - awarded for an overzealous tackle - from the boot of BARLA Under-18 international Craig McAvoy.

The half ended in turmoil with three players, one from Hensingham and two from Ellenborough being sin-binned after the whistle.

Impeccable defence and high quality handling were a constant feature in appalling conditions and it was difficult to see where the first try would come from.

Hensingham's David Proud looked likeliest, with his breaks from acting half-back continually causing Ellenborough's sliding defence problems.

As the game entered it's final phase Ellenborough had a third man, Phil Brown despatched to the bin for a high tackle, but by then Hensingham had deserved the opening day victory.

In a game of high passion, a special mention for Referee Mark Savage, who controlled a difficult game excellently.

ST. NICHOLAS ARMS couldn't have asked for a sterner test on their Division One debut.

Facing reigning champions Wath Brow, Nichs took the full weight of Hornets attacking flair to go in at the break 6-30 in arrears.

The Carlisle outfit dug deep in the second period and produced some excellent football at times, but the powerful Brow pack provided the platform for their pacy backs to add further tries to clinch a 48-18 victory.

Man of the match Mike Marsden claimed St. Nichs solitary first half try, converted by Andy Sawyers; while center Craig Stalker added a second half brace, both improved by Sawyer.

Hornets scored nine tries with two apiece for BARLA Under-18 international winger Craig Calvert and Craig Johnstone, while others came from Scott Tear, Paul Davidson, Andrew Hocking, Ian Rooney and Gary Clark. Gavin Curwen landed six goals.

Despite defeat, Saints secretary Andrew Hodgkinson was in upbeat mood and full of praise for his teams performance. And on this showing, the Carlisle side will surprise a few teams this season.

IT was no fairy-tale return to top flight action for Glasson Rangers. Beaten twice by Westfield in Group B last season, the Grasslot outfit went down again 18-23, in a keenly fought contest.

Behind 6-12, at the break, Rangers outscored the Workington side in the second-half but couldn't quite make up the deficit.

James Moore registered a brace of tries for the hosts, and was followed over the line by Stephen Hughes and Peter Thorndyke. Mark Smith added a goal.

Veteran campaigner Mark Rooke led the way for Westfield with a try, conversion and field goal, with other touchdowns coming from Union convert David Pettit, Gareth Morris, Paul McKenzie and ex County forward Ted Clifton.

PROMOTED Seaton caused the days biggest upset with a superb 19-11 victory over Egremont, avenging last seasons Cumberland Cup Quarter-final dismissal by Rangers.

Warren Stainton edged the Copeland side in front with an early drop-goal. The lead was increased further courtesy of a bizarre penalty goal from Darren Block, both touch-judges flagged to indicate the kick had gone wide, but were overruled by Referee Neil Byers.

Rod Turnbull reduced the deficit with a penalty goal, and the half ended with former Workington Town scrum-half Stuart Ackerley crossing for a try, Turnbull added the goal.

Seaton extended the lead with a second-half try from Paul West, again converted by Turnbull. Block pulled two points back with a penalty before a Mark Taylor try and Ackerley field goal made the match safe.

Egremont, however, had the final word through a last minute Block try and conversion.

IN a thoroughly competitive encounter at Wigton, the hosts were denied by a determined Kells outfit.

Finely balanced at 20-22 in Kells favour at the interval, the visitors had enough in reserve to eventually prevail 38-26.

Darren Wilson and Chris Brannon both bagged braces for Kells, while Carl Kirkbride, Paul Martin and ex Haven pro Craig Chambers all crossed. Brannon kicked five goals.

Wigton replied with tries from Paul Southward, Chris Smith, Dean Heaney and Kevin Wallace. Justin Bennett 4, and Southward added goals.

FLIMBY and Maryport's inability to raise sides cut the second division programme down to just two matches. Maryport who had eight players on Academy duty with Workington Town and others on holiday have rearranged their fixture against Wath Brow Hornets 'A' for Wednesday evening.

CLIFTON Lions switched their game to Broughton at the request of Red Rose, but their was to be no repeat of last seasons 30-all draw, as Rose powered to a 32-8 victory.

In a commanding 16-2 lead at half time Red Rose never looked in any danger of losing the advantage, scoring five tries through Ryan Moore 2, Steve Brough, Richard Campbell and Wayne Bell. David Thurlow kicked 6 goals.

Clifton's solitary try came through Ian Johnston, with Wayne Walker kicking two goals.

SALTERBECK enjoyed two slim victories over Lowca last season in Group D and this second division meeting followed a similar pattern with Storm just 7-4 in front after forty minutes.

At the end, the difference between the two sides was the McNicholas brothers. Former Westfield star Eugene crossed for both Storm tries, while player-coach Vince added two goals. Paul Hodgson landed a field goal to seal the 13-6 win.

Lowca replied through a Willie Johnston try, converted by Lee Weighman.