Champions Ellenborough Rangers produced a fine second-half performance at Wath Brow A to win their big clash in the Holmen Iggesund Premier Division.
It was only 12-10 to Elbra at half-time with the game on a knife edge but they pulled away impressively in the second half to win 40-16.
The Hornets were first on the scoreboard when Liam Mattinson scored an unconverted try after only two minutes.
By the 12th minute Elbra had replied with two tries from Luke Penrice and Jordan Ostle.
The Hornets turned things round and went in front after 19 minutes with a try from Luke Davison which was converted by Fletcher Creasey.
But it was Ellenborough who led narrowly at the break with a try from Matty Bell.
Two tries, one of them converted, in the first seven minutes of the second half extended the Ellenborough lead. After John Todd and Penrice had touched down, both converted by Owen Hoyle, the champions led 24-10.
There was a suggestion of a Wath Brow fightback when Adam Harding crossed after 50 minutes and Creasey converted but it petered out.
Ostle and Brad Tremble each scored tries in the 63rd and 74th minutes, both converted by Hoyles before Penrice completed his hat-trick in the last minute.
There were plenty of points at Maryport where the home side beat Lowca 62-24 to open their League season in style.
Connor Wilson (3), Iestyn Hughes (2), Tom Bethwaite (2), Atlee Skillen, Josh Patterson, Scott Atherton and Chris Ivison scored the Maryport tries, nine of which were improved by Patterson.
Lowca had their moments and scored tries through Paul McNally (3), Matt Farrer and Mitchell Todd. Dave Colley landed two conversions.
Distington were awarded a 26-0 walkover win when Glasson Rangers were unable to raise a team.
