Ellenborough Rangers suffered heartbreak in their Challenge Cup-tie in London when they were beaten 22-16 off the last play of the game.
Trailing 10-6 at the break to hosts London Chargers, the west Cumbrians fought back to lead 16-10 midway through the second half.
The Chargers also recovered to get themselves on terms and in a hectic finish they scored a try and after the conversion time was up.
Ellenborough coach Paul Gorge said: “I was very proud of the team. They gave it everything and just came up short against a useful side.
“It didn’t help our cause that we suffered a couple of injuries at crucial times in the game and had to re-organise.
“We’d just asked about the outcome if it finished level and were told it would go to a golden point. We were setting up to defend a likely field goal attempt as it was nearly over when they worked an opening and scored the winning try.
“As soon as he kicked the conversion it was all over. It was a great effort to get so close.”
Ellenborough had actually taken the lead when Kevin Hoban took an inside pass and strode over for a try wide-out which was converted by Jordan Ostle.
The Chargers were strong, well drilled opponents and they came back level qwitrh a converted try and then got over again to lead at the break.
Ellenborough were lifted early in the second half when Hoban scored a fine try, racing from his own half and going past a number of opponents down the touchline before cutting in to score under the posts. Ostle converted.
It got better for the long-distance travellers when Ostle scored a third try but this time was unable to convert, and for a few minutes, with a 16-10 lead, the Ellenborough players and officials were thinking ahead to a return to London.
Instead it was the Chargers who grabbed the all important points and will face a trip across London to play the Skolars in round two in a fortnight’s time.
