September 8, 2001

By Steve Coulter

EAGERLY awaited Division One derby clashes in both Copeland and Allerdale were the highlight of Cumberland Amateur Rugby League's second week-end.

The big confrontation in Copeland between promoted Kells and fierce rivals Hensingham attracted a big crowd to the Welfare Ground.

Hensingham, buoyed by an opening win against Ellenborough Rangers made a dream start. Playing with a stiff wind at their backs, the visitors fielded Kells kick-off and scored the opening try through Phil Casson with the clock showing less than a minute played.

Stunned by the early set-back, Kells gradually worked their way into the game and equalised on ten minutes with Chris Brannon crossing; BARLA Young Lion, Ryan Robb, back from his summer success in Australia, added the conversion to give the hosts the lead.

Another of BARLA's history making squad down-under, Craig McAvoy, levelled matters with a penalty after fifteen minutes, and repeated the feat as the game moved into the final quarter of what was becoming a cracking dual.

Kells produced the final act of a compelling first-half when a Matty Newall try, goaled by Robb sent Kells in at the break unexpectedly 12-8 ahead.

It was a much more determined Hensingham who emerged after the interval, and some delightful football brought them due reward when a Alan Todd try, converted by McAvoy, pushed them into a lead they never lost.

While the final scoreline might suggest an easy passage for Hensingham, it was anything but, and Kells can draw some comfort from their young side's performance.

The industrious Graham Broach, was a constant problem for the home defence and deservedly crossed for a brace of tries, both converted by the immaculate McAvoy.

Ex-Carlisle Border Raiders pro Barry Quayle grabbed Hensingham's final try, which McAvoy again tagged on the goal.

The superb Carl Hewer also got in on the act with an opportunist field goal to wrap-up the visitors 33-18 victory.

Former Whitehaven hooker Craig Chambers, scored Kells final try, with Robb adding the extras.

It was a much more determined Hensingham who emerged after the interval, and some delightful football brought them due reward when a Alan Todd try, converted by McAvoy, pushed them into a lead they never lost.

While the final scoreline might suggest an easy passage for Hensingham, it was anything but, and Kells can draw some comfort from their young side's performance.

The industrious Graham Broach, was a constant problem for the home defence and deservedly crossed for a brace of tries, both converted by the immaculate McAvoy.

Ex-Carlisle Border Raiders pro Barry Quayle grabbed Hensingham's final try, which McAvoy again tagged on the goal.

The superb Carl Hewer also got in on the act with an opportunist field goal to wrap-up the visitors 33-18 victory.

Matty Newall, scored Kells final try, with Robb adding the extras.

DIVISION ONE newcomers Glasson Rangers are still looking for their first win in the top flight, after giving Ellenborough a mighty scare in font of a bumper Maryport crowd - eventually losing 21-28.

But it was was an encouraging performance by last season's unbeaten Third Division Champions, and if they continue to perform in this manner then that elusive first victory wont be long in coming.

Both sides had a man dismissed in the closing stages of the first half when Glasson's Nicky Crellin and Ellenborough's Kevin Clark were red carded for fighting.

Holding a slender 10-8 interval advantage, the turning point came when Glasson's James Moore was sent-off for an offence committed as Ellenborough were in the act of scoring a try; giving Paul McGee two kicks at goal, both of which were successful.

The hosts just about deserved the two points in a rip-roaring encounter, Phil Hoyles crossed for a brace of tries, with one apiece for Neil Humes, Simon Pattinson and Phil Brown; McGee landed four goals.

Glasson replied with two tries from Mark Smith, Ryan Ivison, and BARLA Under-21 Tourist, Gregg Rowley, who also landed two goals. Smith added a field goal.

WESTFIELD, who failed to secure a single league point last season, remain undefeated after two games.

The Workington side followed on from last week's victory at Glasson with an equally impressive 24-14 showing against resurgent Seaton Rangers, who had the hugely experienced ex pro Colin Armstrong back in their ranks.

Seaton looked to be heading for victory with a lively first half performance, which had them 10-4 ahead after the first forty minutes, through tries from former Flimby man Ian Tinnion, and Paul West; plus an Armstrong goal.

Westfield fought back well during the second-half and despite a further try from Seaton youngster Steve Hodgson, deserved both points.

The hosts scored tries through Ryan Blair 2, Nicky Williamson and Mark Rooke who also chipped in with two conversions and a penalty goal.

Four field goals were shared by Williamson and Paul McKenzie, to ensure it was Westfield's day.

WATH BROW made it two straight wins in a runaway 18 try victory over a Wigton side still seeking their first points of the season.

Four tries from Craig Johnston set Hornets on their way to a comprehensive 84-6 win.

Wigton, who never gave in, had no answer to an Hornets side who led 46-0 at half-time, and scored at regular intervals throughout.

Hornets other tries came through BARLA Young player of the year Mark Troughton 2, Scott Anderson 2, Scott Teare 2, Craig Calvert 2, Gavin Curwen 2, Neil Stewart, David Currie, Andrew Stables and Ian Rooney. Curwen kicked 7goals.

Wigton's sole scorer came in the shape of David Southward with a try and goal.

ANOTHER big score was Broughton Red Rose's 64-1 drubbing of Salterbeck Storm to put the hosts top of Division Two, only twelve months after the club faced extinction.

Ryan Moore continued his great run of form with four tries, while there was two apiece for Dale Semple, Ryan Bates and skipper Steve Brough, Wayne Bell and Gareth Skillen also crossed.

David Thurlow added seven goals, with Skillen adding to his personal points tally with one.

Player-coach Vince McNicholas landed a solitary Storm drop-goal in reply.

IT was celebration time in the Distington clubhouse after their 27-10 victory over Great Clifton.

Gary Hewer's side failed to win any of their Division Four fixtures last season, so to open their account on their first outing offers great encouragement for the coming months.

Leading 6-4 at the break, Distington put in a big second half performance to secure the points.

Tries for the hosts came through Ryan Worthington, David Hill, Trevor Dryden, Edward Dockray and John Banks. Worthington added two goals, Grant Dryden landed one, with Banks slotting over a field goal.

Paul Mewse and Mark Hughes replied with tries for the Lions, Wayne Walker kicking a goal.

Referee, Bob Gordon complimented both sides on their conduct, and the excellent spirit shown during the match.

WATH BROW 'A' continued their excellent start to life in Division Two with a 33-20 success at Penrith - their second victory in four days.

The hosts scored four tries through Darren Luck 2, Paul Butler and James Stainton. Mark Brookes kicked two goals.

Hornets replied with six touchdowns, including one to debutant Lee Clarke; others went to Shaun McAllister, Paul Murphy, Bruce Taylor, Dave Butler and James Robinson. Tony Gregg added four goals and a field goal.

Two games took place mid-week, Wath Brow Hornets 'A' played their deferred fixture against Maryport, on Wednesday, while Egremont entertained St. Nicholas Arms a day later to allow players of the Carlisle club to attend a stag-party in Amsterdam.

A STEP-UP in status, was hardly noticeable, as Wath Brow Hornets 'A' began life in Division Two.

Last season's unbeaten Alliance Champions look well equipped to repeat the feat in their new surroundings.

Bursts of inspiration from Barry Hardman - making a welcome return to the Rugby League scene after a ten year break - and double strikes from Paul Clemments and Derry Eilbeck, were central to a comfortable 48-6 win against eleven-man Maryport.

Despite the circumstances Maryport secretary Paul Williamson was not disheartened.

"We have a major problem with Academy commitments overlapping the start of our own season, but I suppose its the price you pay for having a quality youth system.

"But we're not moaning about it, the lads out there tonight did the club proud, and once we have a full squad to choose from there's not many teams in the division who will look forward to playing us," he said.

Hornets built up a 20-6 lead by half-time, with forward James Robinson taking the eye for the hosts.

The Cleator Moor side piled on the points as the depleted Maryport ranks tired during the second period to earn themselves top position in the section.

Brow scored further tries at regular intervals through Hardman, Robert Spivey, Paul Farrell, Gary Elliot and Under-18 Player of the Year Johnny Lopez. Tony Gregg landed nine goals.

Maryport, with their Workington Town Academy players still unavailable for selection, included three of last years under-16s in a patched up side, and must earn all the plaudits for fulfilling the fixture.

Pick of Maryport's heroic effort was back-rower David Bailiff, while their only reward for eighty minutes toil came through a first-half try and conversion by Simon Barnes.

EGREMONT RANGERS took both points against St. Nicholas Arms in a match marred by a double leg-fracture to Saints substitute Brendan Cherry.

The game was locked 15 apiece when the incident occurred on the hour, and it was fifty minutes before play was resumed.

Egremont spokesman Stephen Bowes said: "It was a protracted delay and neither side would have objected if the game had been abandoned there and then.

"Nichs played with great spirit and organisation throughout the match, and won the admiration of everyone present.

"It was only a resilient performance by Rangers young side that edged them home."

St. Nichs took the lead on thirteen minutes through the ever alert Craig Stalker, but Egremont hit back five minutes later to level matters when teenage winger Michael Beatson touched down.

With confidence growing, the Copeland side took the lead with an unconverted Steve Morris try on twenty-three minutes, to the delight of the home crowd.

The joy was short lived however, when former Carlisle Border Raider Tony Scott leveled matters with a try ten minutes later, the resulting conversion edging the City side in front.

The final act of a pulsating first half came on the stroke of half time with a drop goal by Gary Hinde to cut the visitors lead to 9-10.

Stalker struck again eight minutes after the restart with a sweetly struck field goal to increase Nichs cushion to two points.

Egremont's BARLA Under-21 International, Darren Block, swung the game Rangers way again after fifty minutes with a try and conversion.

Nichs just wouldn't lie down and imposed tremendous pressure on the home defence to send Richard Nicholson scampering over on the hour.

The final twenty-minutes seemed of secondary importance, when play restarted after the injury to Cherry, both sides visibly affected by the proceedings.

Hinde claimed the third one pointer of the match to edge Egremont in front, but again Nichs fought back to score what looked like the winning try from Mike Collins. Sawyers adding the goal.

But with time running out, it was left to Rangers' BARLA International Paul Telford to deliver the killer punch with a try in the corner. Block again converting.

The game ended with Warren Stainton slotting over a field goal for the second successive match.

A season which was viewed with great optimism in the Saints camp has been dealt a savage blow, but Nichs secretary Andrew Hodgkinson was philosophical about the incident.

"It was just one of those things that happen from time to time in sport.

"Brendan had only been on the field about thirty minutes, he made an ordinary tackle on Mark Chorley, and as he went down his leg was trapped beneath a number of bodies.

"He was really looking forward to playing again after an enforced two years away from the code, he said."

Egremont supporters meanwhile, will need to be patient as their young side gains experience. They were a shade fortunate on the night to take both points and a top four spot will be a bonus come the business end of the campaign.