September 22, 2001

By Steve Coulter


FOUR weeks into the Youngers Scotch Bitter Cumberland League programme and only three teams - Wath Brow Hornets, Broughton Red Rose and Wath Brow Hornets 'A' remain undefeated.

Biggest surprise of the day came at Gilfoot Park, Egremont, where the hosts leapfrogged visitors Hensingham into third place in Division One with a well earned 19-12 victory.

Hensingham began in a lively fashion and took the lead after ten minutes with a try from Anthony Hill, after the craft of Carl Hewer created an opening by skilfully slipping a pass between two tacklers. BARLA Youth International tourist Craig McAvoy added the goal.

The visitors could have increased the advantage minutes later when the industrious Glyn Hyslop had a try disallowed.

Egremont grew in confidence from this point, with props Mark Chorley and the highly promising youngster Daniel Whalley enjoying outstanding games.

Increased possession saw Rangers draw level midway through the first half when Paul Telford breezed over for a try, converted by the ultra reliable Darren Block.

With defences holding tight, both sides were looking for field-goal opportunities and a deftly struck one pointer from the ubiquitous Warren Stainton gave the hosts a slender 7-6 half-time lead.

A disallowed David Hartley try early in the second period rocked Hensingham into an immediate response and after mounting a series of attacks on the home defence, ex-Carlisle Border Raider Barry Quayle, burst over to give Hensingham the lead. McAvoy's successful conversion giving the visitors a 12-7 advantage

Egremont came back with a vengeance and on fifty-two minutes reduced the deficit to a single point, after sixteen year-old Michael Beatson crossed for a try in the corner.

Egremont pushed their noses in front on the hour with a magnificent interception try from quick-thinking Warren Stainton, who left a leaden-footed defence looking over their shoulders in total disbelief, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Stainton completed an afternoon of personal triumph with drop-goals on sixty-five and seventy five-minutes to give Rangers an unexpected but fully deserved victory.

Egremont spokesman Stephen Bowes said: "The club is absolutely delighted by this result. It has given everyone a big lift.

"It wasn't the prettiest game of Rugby League but it was a great team performance with a lot of effort."

KELLS with most of their big guns back in harness still found the going tough against a relentless Ellenborough Rangers side intent on bringing the glory days of the nineties back to the club.

The visitors, with player-coach Jonty Gorley in devastating form, built-up a 14-0 advantage during the first forty-minutes.

Gorley's contribution, including the opening try, was immense for thirty-five minutes, before a red card for alleged tripping, saw his involvement abruptly ended. But by then Rangers had all but won the game, centre Paul McGee contributing a further try and three goals.

Jason Moore increased Ellenborough's advantage, coming off the bench to score a peach of a try. McGee added the conversion, and followed with a penalty shortly afterwards to make it 22-0.

Kells rallied briefly and were rewarded with a Robert Nicholson try. BARLA tourist Ryan Robb added the goal.

Ellenborough hit back in style with a try from the evergreen Peter Atherton, converted by McGee.

Phil Brown completed Rangers scoring with a delicate field-goal, while winger, Phil Walker grabbed a consolation try for the home side. Robb again adding the goal to make it 12-27.

WIGTON are proving to be weary travellers after this latest showing against Seaton Rangers.

Twenty-eight points to the good at the break, Seaton continued to run hard at a battered, if willing Wigton defence, to finish 62-0 winners.

The game showcased the talents of Rangers' Paul West who crossed for a superb hat-trick.

Seaton's twelve tries tells its own story in a one-sided game, with West being followed over the line by Martin Wilson 2, Craig Armstrong, Stuart Ackerley, Ben Nixon, Andy McGlasson, Ian Tinnion and Rod Turnbull. Turnbull landed four goals, while Wilson chipped in with three.

GLASSON RANGERS came into the game with Wath Brow in the knowledge that in two Cup-ties last season they had at least coped with Hornets lethal strike-force. But with a mounting injury list and minus the potency of leading tryscorer James Moore - sidelined after suffering concussion against Kells last week - they were always going to be on the back-foot.

But even they couldn't have imagined what lay in store as the Cleator Moor outfit ravaged them from kick-off to final whistle.

Wath Brow winger Craig Calvert showed why he is one of the best young talents in Cumbrian Amateur Rugby League. His impact on the game was huge throughout and his three tries had class written all over them.

But on a day when Hornets romped to a 104-0 thrashing of a very young and relatively inexperienced Grasslot side, Calvert wasn't alone.

Gary Clark's contribution of five tries, Craig Johnstone 3, and David Currie 3, were just as significant in cementing Hornets reputation as the league's outstanding performers.

Further tries from Paul Farrell 2, Gavin Curwen, Ian Rooney, Andrew Hocking, Scott Anderson, and Carl Rudd added to Glasson's woe, and were compounded even further with ten goals. Curwen landing seven, Rudd kicking two, and Johnstone, one.

WESTFIELD registered their third win of the season against St. Nicholas in a cut and thrust encounter at Mossbay Ranch.

The game was finely balanced at the break 12-12, with both sides looking capable of improving their league position.

However, with Steve Clifton gaining the hard yards for the Workington outfit, Wayne Brash - back from his spell with Salterbeck Storm - cashed in with a hat-trick of tries and was followed over the line by Alan Stoddart (45 minutes) and Stuart Poland (66 minutes). Mark Rooke kicked five goals.

Saints replied through tries by Craig Stalker 2, Martin Stalker and Mike Marsden. Andrew Sawyers landed three goals, while Martin Stalker added one.

MARYPORT moved up to third place in Division Two thanks to a second-half onslaught that left Distington looking for their first away points.

Yet, there had been no indication of events to come after the first forty minutes. Distington playing a swashbuckling entertaining brand of football led at the halfway stage 18-16.

Referee, Brian Conaway complimented both sides on their behaviour and attitude, both of which contributed greatly to an absorbing afternoon's football.

Maryport's ace proved to be the returning Stephen Cameron, who was instrumental in the hosts second-half surge with four tries; and was followed over the whitewash by Alan Pearce, Gary Southwell and John Pattinson. Gary Anderson was successful with six goals.

Distington's points came through tries by Steve Conway, Alan Riddick, Grant Dryden, Ian Dryden and Trevor Dryden. Gary Hewer 2, and Grant Dryden 3, added goals.

THE battle of the basement clubs in Division Two went the way of Penrith with a comprehensive 52-12 defeat of rock-bottom Great Clifton Lions.

Penrith, laid firm foundations for their win in the first half and established a 24-6 lead by the interval.

Penrith scored ten tries in securing their first points of the campaign through Darren Luck 2, Dennis Bibby 2, Mark Brookes, Andy Richardson, Nigel Hamblin, Richard Jackson, John Forrester and David Snaith. Brookes weighed in with six goals.

Ian Johnston and Andy Banks hit back with touchdowns for the Lions; Wayne Walker landed two goals.

SALTERBECK had no answer to the big powerful forwards and pacy backs of Wath Brow Hornets 'A.'

It was a dreadfully disappointing day for the Storm, who had player-coach Vince McNicholas leading a gallant home effort. But they were quite simply out-muscled.

Salterbeck who had hoped a win against early pacesetters Hornets would really kick start their season, were taken aback by the ferocity and desire of their visitors.

Those pre-match hopes quickly vanished in spectacular fashion, with a clear cut 0-50 defeat by Lee Power's fast maturing starlets.

Twenty points ahead at the interval, Hornets dismantled Storm with a further thirty in the second period to go clear at the head of Division Two.

Gary Brown led the charge with a brace and other tries came from Shaun McAllister, Paul Byers, Paul Clements, Johnny Lopez, Derry Eilbeck, 'Blue' Robinson and Matthew Whalley. Tony Gregg landed seven goals.

THE Alliance League got underway with last season's runners-up Kells 'A' looking to go one better this time round.

They started in the best possible manner with a 49-22 win at Glasson Rangers 'A' and on this showing are more than capable of taking the championship.

At 10-16 in favour of Kells at half-time, the game was their to be won and Kells stepped up a gear to power home. The Copeland side scored nine tries through Paul Dockray, Mark Kirkbride, Scott Kenmare, Tony Crosbie, Kevin McNamara, Les Birkett, Barry Boyd, Christian Cleghorn and Scott Lofthouse. Simon Burns slotted over six goals and a one pointer.

Rangers tries came from Bernie Nicholson, Joe Barton, Tristan Irving, and Gary Heaney. Dean Scholey landed two goals, David Farish completing the scoring with one.

HENSINGHAM 'A' had it all their own way in a 60-8 victory over Egremont 'A' in a one sided Alliance clash.

Big second-row-forward, Scott Anderson led the way with five tries, Gavin Birkett added a brace and there was one apiece for Blake Amor, Craig Woodend, Alan Rae and Neil Starkey. Neil Waddington kicked eight goals.

Rangers replied with tries from 'Spud' Hall and Darren Boakes.

The game saw the debut at open-age level of Referee Lee Skelton, who won universal praise for the efficient manner in which he controlled the match throughout.

SEATON RANGERS 'A' started their Alliance campaign without youngster Gareth Nicholson who suffered two broken bones in his back during the previous week's warm-up game at Glasson.

The re-formed Seaton second team rocked Wigton 'A straight from the kick-off and had the match sewn-up by half-time when they led 36-0.

Wigton hit back briefly to grab two tries through Neil Williamson and Steve Crozier, plus two Wayne Southward goals, but Seaton powered home 50-10.

Rangers tries came through Ben Steele 2, Lee Williams, Peter Watson, Gary Steele, Ben Price, Gareth Iley, Shaun Johnsten and Mark Mason. Mason also collected seven goals.

The St. Nicholas 'A' game against Westfield was cancelled when Westfield failed to raise a team.