September 15, 2001

By Steve Coulter

THE sombre mood following the hideous and foul events inflicted on New York and Washington earlier in the week, were reflected by two minutes silence - impeccably observed - as a prelude to every game played under the Youngers Scotch Bitter Cumberland League banner on Saturday.

The action which followed however, was far from subdued, with a flurry of points and excellent football in both divisions.

Something had to give in the top of the table clash as Hensingham and Wath Brow both looked to continue their unbeaten start to the new season, and it was Brow who eventually were able to benefit from a strong team performance that ultimately helped dump Hensingham's spirited effort 21-16.

The hosts, seen as the team most likely to challenge Brow in a summer poll conducted on the CARL website, never seriously threatened the reigning
Champions.

Hornets prevailed in four meetings last season, including a 40-0 win in the corresponding match, and never looked in any danger of surrendering that particular run of victories.

It could all have been so different had the home side capitalised on Scott Anderson's first half sending off by referee David McGarry, for an indiscretion on Glyn Hyslop. Ace kicker, Craig McAvoy edged Hensingham two points in front from the resultant penalty.

If anything, Anderson's dismissal prompted Hornets to find greater resolve, and coupled with Hensingham's inability to hold the ball, and some woeful defence, the visitors gained the initiative and in the end were worthy winners.

Two tries from the ever alert Scott Tear and another from Gary Clarke, converted by Gavin Curwen, answered Hensingham's lone first half touchdown by Kris Coward, to send Brow in at the break 14-6 ahead.

Grant Wilson and David Armstrong tries in the second period, plus a goal from BARLA Under-18 International McAvoy, gave Hensingham hope of salvaging something from the game.

But the twelve-men of Hornets wouldn't be denied and a try and goal from Cumberland 'Player of the Year,' Curwen, plus an opportunist field goal by the returning Andrew Hocking, proved sufficient to keep the Cleator Moor outfit in top spot.

Westfield provided compelling evidence - in the first half at least - that they are anything but the freak show of the First Division after finishing last season pointless.

Westfield, having made a stunning start to the campaign with two straight victories, were expected to be found wanting by Jonty Gorley's improving side.

Rather than be the season's patsies, Westfield suggested they are going to maintain a drive to take them far beyond survival despite a 6-34 scorline.

Ellenborough, with a mounting early season injury list were down to the bare fifteen players, with the influential Paul McGee, Peter Bewick and Stephen Douglas, watching from the sidelines.

Treading their new ground for the first time, Rangers took awhile to settle and it was nip and tuck in the early stages, with neither side able to conjure a productive opening.
When the breakthrough did come, it was player-coach Gorley who was on hand to touch down. Cumbria County star, Eddie Robinson added the goal.

Phil Brown, scored the first of two tries to give Ellenborough a 10-6 half-time lead. Westfield's points had come through a John Hunter try, goaled by Mark Rooke.

Rangers pulled away after the break with another try from Gorley, while Ben Brinicombe and Craig Holdsworth also crossed. Robinson kicking a further four goals.

Wigton came into the match with Egremont Rangers, still smarting from a 84-6 defeat at Wath Brow Hornets seven days earlier.

And with the memory of last season's 106-0 Jennings Cumberland Cup mauling from the visitors, they could be forgiven if they thought things couldn't get much worse.

In fact, they got better, much better, and it was only in the final ten minutes of a thoroughly entertaining contest that Egremont summoned enough guile to take home a 18-13 victory.

Rangers lead 10-0 at the interval through John Young and David Hartley tries, the latter converted by BARLA Under-21 International Darren Block.

Wigton hit back with a vengeance after the break with tries from Dean Haney and Steve Carruthers, two goals from Paul Southward, and a delicate drop from John Hodgson looking likely to give the home side a surprise victory.

Egremont salvaged the game in a final onslaught, courtesy of a try from the vastly experienced Mark Beckwith, and two further goals from the boot of Block.

Craig Stalker, stole the show as St. Nicholas Arms hit top form in a storming first-half show to leave Seaton Rangers still searching for that elusive first away victory.

Seaton, last terms Second Division Champions, rallied briefly, but failed to reproduce the form that earned them a league double over the Carlisle side on their way to last year's title triumph.

Described by Nichs secretary Andrew Hodgkinson, as the best forty-minutes the city side have produced since moving to Gilford Park, the home side dominated straight from the kick-off to earn a 19-10 win.

Craig Stalker crossed first for Saints, Andy Sawyers adding the conversion. Martin Stalker popped over a drop drop-goal to make it 7-0, before Tony Palmer, revelling in his switch from hooker to wing, scampered over for a great try. Sawyers again adding the extras.

Seaton fought back, and a magnificent individual try from former Workington Town scrum-half Stuart Ackerley, converted by Martin Wilson reduced the arrears at half-time to 19-6.

Defences held firm during a second half that produced only one further score - Brett Heron crossing for Seaton's second try.

Glasson Rangers finally got their First Division campaign up and running with a 31-28 defeat of heavily depleted Kells.

Clinically, Kells lost this game because they were quickly rumbled in the forwards, and second half indiscipline cost them dearly with two red cards.

Glasson's determination frustrated Kells, and slowly, the spirit shown by the Copeland side was stretched like a straining sinew until inevitably, it snapped.

Highlight of a thrilling encounter was an 80 metre first-half interception try by Glasson's BARLA Under-21 International Greg Rowley, who ended the match with 18 points (2 tries, 5 goals).

On any other day Rowley's exploits would have been enough to earn Man of the Match status, but two brilliant touchdowns from Rangers' elusive James Moore gave him that distinction. Richard Herbert with a try and field goal completed Glasson's scoring.

Unluckiest player on the field was Ian Brannon who scored three of Kells six tries, and still ended on the losing side. Matty Newall 2, and Phil Walker also crossed the whitewash, with two Chris Brannon goals completing Kells scoring.

Broughton Red Rose still sit proudly at the head of Division Two after a narrow 12-0 victory over Distington at Grass Road.

Only one try, scored by Steve Brough separated the sides at the halfway stage, as Distington followed last week's opening win with another wholehearted showing.

The second-half followed much the same pattern as the first, with Rose cashing in on an increasing amount possession to add tries through Ryan Moore and David Thurlow.

Maryport are off the mark in Division Two, with a 26-18 success at luckless Clifton Lions; and they can thank the old head of coach Alan Davidson for steering their young side to victory in a pulsating clash.

Still suffering a player shortage, with eight of the squad still on duty at Workington Town Academy, Davidson was forced into action again and celebrated the occasion with four tries!

Gary Southwell, back from his stint at Flimby, crossed for Maryport's fifth try, while Andrew Pearce slotted three goals.

Clifton replied through tries from Martin Wilson, Mark Walker, and Wayne Walker, the latter kicking three goals.

Even at this early stage of proceedings, it's going to take an almighty effort to deny Wath Brow Hornets 'A' a major say in the destination of the Second Division title.

Three games into the new season and Hornets - fast-tracked into Division Two - have yet to taste defeat after a nail-biting 28-24 victory over Lowca.

In a game which saw both sides display more attacking intent than a bank robber with a sawn-off shot gun, it was ironic that the boot of Tony Gregg should be the deciding factor in a terrific contest.

Hornets tries came from Shaun McAllister, Johnny Lopez, Paul Clements, Paul Farrell and Bruce Taylor, with Gregg kicking four goals.

Lowca replied with touchdowns for ex Workington Town professional Lee Allen 2, Dean Morgan, Grant Porter and Dave Colley. Richard Haile kicked two goals.

One friendly match was played at the week-end between Glasson Rangers 'A' and Seaton Rangers 'A' in readiness for the Alliance League season which kicks-off this coming Saturday. Glasson took the honours 21-16.