Cockermouth, one of the favourites to win the new Counties 1 Cumbria championship, opened their season with a 45-13 victory at Creighton.
The hosts had got their campaign off to a winning start with a good 20-18 win at Workington a week earlier and felt a bit hard done to in the opening quarter of the game.
Although decidedly rusty, Cockermouth established a 19-3 lead in the opening 20 minutes although Creighton seemed to be on the wrong end of some 50-50 decisions in conceding three tries.
The Cockermouth tries came from James Hunter, Ben Irving and their man of the match James Sewell. Full-back Dan Woodcock, home from Newcastle Falcons Academy until January, converted two and looked impressive with his kick and pass game.
Creighton’s points came from the boot of full-back Keenan Foster.
The home side then hit back with a superb try from Foster. Quick hands in the back line gave the full back space to score in the corner.
Cockermouth responded immediately with a try from Adam Brough after the referee adjudged the home side had knocked on from the restart. Woodcock converted for a half time lead of 26-8.
In the opening exchanges of the second half the home team played some of their best rugby for some time.
After 20 minutes Luxembourg sevens international Tom Verlaque chipped into space and the loose ball was hacked on by Joe O’Donnell for Daz Rayson to swoop on and score an unconverted try.
The game became scrappy from this point onwards, with both teams having players yellow carded.
Cockermouth capitalised by scoring three more tries through Fraser Murray, Dan Fielden and Jonny Crichton, two in the last five minutes to run out worthy winners. Woodcock added another two conversions.
Overall it was a fine team effort from Creighton with massive contributions from second row Alan Wharton and centre Craig Clapperton.
- Cockermouth seconds won praise for tackling a strong and experienced Aspatria Eagles side in a Shield encounter with the bare 17 players, several of whom were having their first competitive game of rugby. James Ashcroft scored the Wasps try in a 45-5 defeat.
