Wath Brow A staged a fine recovery to beat Kells A in the semi-final of the CARL Amateur Cup.
They had been trailing 18-6 at half-time but fought their way back into the contest and eventually squeezed home 24-22.
In a dramatic conclusion Kells had scored the last try of the game six minutes from the end but the conversion attempt to level the tie was off target.
It had proved a great game for a semi-final, with a good crowd supporting both young teams.
Kells had been fast out of the traps and on 11 minutes took the lead with a try from Dan Starkie which was improved by Jake Parker.
At the end of the first quarter Kells doubled their lead when Harry Watson got over for the second try, again converted by Parker.
Indeed when Kells scored a third try on 27 minutes from Watson, with another Parker conversion the Whitehaven side seemed to be heading over the horizon.
But crucially the Horners reduced the deficit nine minutes before the break when Jamie McCallister got over and Jenson Olstrum added the conversion.
Whatever was said at half-time by the Hornets coaching staff it had the desired affect as the game turned in a 12 minute spell during the third quarter of the game.
Stand-off Luke Davison and prop Paula Niua both got over in that spell with winger Olstrum adding the extras to pull them level.
Then on the hour Davison found space and managed to get through a well-drilled Kells defence to score the try which put Wath Brow ahead for the first time in the game. Olstrum duly converted for a 24-18 lead.
Then six minutes from the end Kells centre Ashton Sice gave his side hope by going over in the corner but Parker was just unable to convert.
In the final Wath Brow A will play Ellenborough who beat Distington 22-10 on Saturday.
