February 9, 2002

by Steve Coulter

WIDESPREAD rain and strong south-westerly winds again decimated the Cumberland League fixture card, with four of the seven scheduled Jennings Cumberland Cup first round ties falling foul of the elements.

Of the four games that did go ahead as planned, two failed to go the full distance when injury and the weather intervened.

EGREMONT Rangers blasted their way into the last eight of the Jennings Cumberland Cup competition with one of their best displays of the season in disposing of Westfield 34-6.

However, the tie was marred by a serious 70th minute leg injury to Westfield forward Gary Pattinson and referee Peter Wharton had no hesitation in bringing the game to an early conclusion when the extent of the injury became evident, and an ambulance was summoned to the scene.

The Gilfoot Park outfit struck hard and early through inspirational hooker John Young, who finished off a crucial break by the forceful Andrew Hind, with only five minutes showing on the clock. Darren Block converted.

Young, who had an outstanding game, turned provider on 14 minutes when a deft pass to the equally impressive Steven Long saw the second-rower stride through for a telling score, which Block again improved.

It was a try good enough to win any game and it knocked the stuffing out of a Wests outfit who had beaten the hosts 14-8 when they met in the league back in November.

Egremont's positive intentions were further underlined five minutes later when centre Andrew Little profited from Rangers' repeated ability to keep the ball alive and cross wide out on the right. Block again added the extras, and at 18-0 Egremont were cruising.

It was suddenly crisis time for the Workington outfit. The wound became fatal after 25 minutes when Young pounced for a second time, to all but nail down the lid. Block once more tagged on the extras.

For much of the first-half Westfield failed to hit the the line with thrust or move up on Rangers' attack with any real urgency.

Conversely, Egremont were hungry for yards and skipped further ahead on 33 minutes after Westfield had briefly threatened. Long broke through, and delivered a glorious pass to veteran Mark Beckwith, who obliged with the touchdown. Block again goaled.

Westfield, to their credit came out fighting after half-time and their positive attitude paid an immediate dividend as conditions worsened, when former Workington Rugby Union convert David Pettit reduced the arrears with a fine try converted by Mark Rooke.

There were some impressive cameo performances in the Egremont ranks, none more than BARLA Under-21 International Block, who is looking increasingly like the finished article at full-back. Twice he shepherded his prey to the touchline before wrapping-up both man and ball when Westfield looked likely scorers, and his assured ability in plucking the ball from the air and scooping it up from his bootlaces proved a major influence on the games' outcome.

The final score came on 62 minutes with Young and Long again combining to open up the visitors defence, before sending winger Kevin Brown slicing through for an unconverted try.

Westfield coach Graeme McKenzie was quick to heap praise on the Egremont players and officials following the injury to Pattinson. "Their reading of the seriousness of the situation was instant and their reaction swift and professional, he said.

"Westfield as a club would like to acknowledge all those involved in tending Gary's injury so promptly and expertly.

Egremont spokesman Stephen Bowes echoed McKenzies words. "It was a great shame that such a good game should end in the manner it did, he said.

"On a similar note the club would like to wish Graeme Colley a full and speedy recovery after having a kidney removed, following an injury sustained against Ideal Isberg in the National Cup a fortnight ago.

"It was just one of those unfortunate things that happen occasionally, and it's tragic that such a talented footballer as Graeme should be sidelined in those circumstances.

"But our thoughts are with him and hope its not too long before he's up and about again, Bowes added."

"There were some outstanding performances during the game. John Young and Steven Long were key players in Egremont's victory.

"From a purely personal viewpoint, I think it was significant to have John Young back in the hooking role.

"It's his preferred position, but he's such a good clubman that he operates wherever the need arises.

"When you look at what his contemporaries have achieved I feel he has been most unfortunate not to have emulated them.

"He toured Australia with BARLA around 1979, when he and Marc Jackson vied for the hooking role and I feel his versatility has hindered his career following a similar route, he said."

"Steven Long was also outstanding and had a massive game in the second-row today, while Darren Block looks increasingly easy in the full-back jersey. Assured and confident in every facet of his game."

CARL ENNIS and Richard Hill ran first division St. Nicholas out of the Jennings Cumberland Cup with speed, skill, flair and two tries apiece.

The Carlisle outfit were hit by late withdrawals and went into the tie without key performers Craig and Martin Stalker and hugely influential prop Alan McDermott - making their enormous task of overcoming a Lowca side growing in confidence all the more daunting.

Division Two leaders Lowca got off to a glorious start when former Workington Town scrum-half Lee Allen conjured-up the only real chance of the first forty, to send back-rower Ennis in under the posts, with just three minutes of the match elapsed. Lee Weighman added the conversion to complete the first-half scoring.

Lowca's early blitz indicated Saints were in for a torrid afternoon but the first division side put in a massive defensive stint to fend of the villagers intensity and restrict their half-time lead to six points.

Nichs, without the luxury of substitutes dropped away badly after the break and with Lowca looking increasingly the sharper outfit it wasn't any surprise when they extended their lead through replacement Paul Thompson.

Even though the City team showed little resistance during the second forty minutes, Lowca's effort was polished and full of purpose.

More clinical finishing from full-back Richard Hill, two, and another from Ennis, plus a further Weighman goal were enough to see the Villagers safely through to a quarter-final showdown against Hensingham or Broughton Red Rose.

Lowca spokesman Martin Ennis said: "Referee Neil Byers' control of the game was outstanding in extremely wet conditions.

"The rain continually swept across the field and made handling very difficult. But we gradually got on top the longer the game went on and ground out and excellent result."

DEBUTANT South African back-row-forward Weldon Saayman picked-up the vice-presidents Man-of-the-match award as Kells 'A outplayed an inexperienced but eager Glasson Rangers 'A' at the Big Wate.

Kells asserted their dominance from the outset and the visitors could match neither the control or purpose of a home side who welcomed back the seemingly ageless former Whitehaven stalwart Billy Fisher.

The home side signalled their intentions as early as the sixth minute when loose-forward Steve Mattinson, who maintained a powerful presence throughout crossed for an unconverted try.

Three minutes later and 17-years-old Scott Kenmare put the home side firmly in the driving seat when he shot 30 metres through a gap created by Mattinson, to score a superbly executed try, before tagging on the goal.

Carl Kirkbride increased the advantage on 13 minutes following a quick tap by David Agnew, who raced 50 metres before releasing the winger to score a tremendous try. Kenmare tagged on the goal.

Things looked even bleaker for Glasson when stand-off Fisher capped his comeback with a fine try after 26 minutes. Kenmare booted the extras.

The hosts maintained the pressure and eight minutes before the break prop-forward Les Brown trundled over after good work from scrum-half Terry Moynes. Kenmare again added the goal and Kells led 28-0 at half-time.

The heavens opened as the second-half got underway and any hopes Glasson might have secretly held of a revival were soon dispelled, when substitute hooker Sinon Brannon crossed twice in the opening eleven minutes.

The first on 51 minutes saw him burrowing over from acting half-back, while the second was achieved six minutes later, following a neat kick through. Kenmare improved both.

Glasson were finally rewarded for their endeavors just past the hour when winger David Hamilton crossed for a try.

With ten minutes remaining and conditions getting alarmingly worse, the referee, after consultation brought the game to a premature end.

WIGTON 'A' gained their first Alliance League point of the campaign following a gruelling 10-10 draw with Egremont Rangers 'A' in the Barton Laws mud.

Wigton led 10-4 at the half-way stage courtesy of tries from Richard Holliday and Dale Adair, plus a goal from the boot of Wayne Southward.

It was an incredible struggle by both sides against the elements with neither side being able to take complete control.

The fact that the game was still competitive at the final whistle, paid glowing tribute to the resolve of both sets of players.

Egremont's reply during the first-half was a solitary touchdown from David Waugh, but a further try from Mal Caton, plus a Warren Stainton goal levelled matters during the second period.

Wigton secretary Ronnie Teasdale said: "There was twenty-six heroes out there today, with a lot of young kids enhancing their reputations.

"Not one took a single backward step in a really hard, physical and competitive game.

"I can't remember one single penalty being awarded for foul play, which sums up the terrific spirit in which the game was played.

"They were a credit to the game and I think both camps were more than happy to share the points."

* THE draw for the quarter-finals of the Jennings Cumberland Cup threw-up some interesting possible pairings, despite the fact that only Egremont Rangers and Lowca are definitely through to the last eight.

Holders Wath Brow Hornets or 1998 winners Ellenborough Rangers will host the winners of Salterbeck Storm and Penrith.

Last season's finalists Egremont Rangers must travel to either Great Clifton Lions or Wigton, while Lowca are rewarded for their win over St. Nicholas with home advantage against Hensingham or Broughton Red Rose.

The full draw is as follows: Wath Brow Hornets or Ellenborough Rangers v Salterbeck Storm or Penrith, Great Clifton Lions or Wigton v Egremont Rangers, Lowca v Hensingham or Broughton Red Rose Seaton Rangers or Kells v Glasson Rangers or Maryport.