Hensingham Reds have claimed the North West Counties Rugby League Under-18s Division Two title.
They triumphed 32-10 in the ‘must win’ game at Chorley Panthers on Sunday.
A depleted Hensingham made the trip to Chorley’s ground in Coppull with just 14 in their squad, including a substantial number of Under-17s.
Coach Mark Thornton was keenly aware that any injury could derail their title chances and the opportunity to overtake Golborne Parkside for the crown.
On a morning when BBC TV showed bright sunshine at the World Cup match between Jamaica and Lebanon in Leigh, just a few miles away, the game in Coppull started under brooding skies and in heavy rain.
The greasy playing surface and ball didn’t help either side, but it was Hensingham who got off to a flying start with Luca Hiddleston collecting a fabulous Dylan Cromwell offload to charge down the left wing to slide in by the post after just two minutes. Miller Dalton successfully kicked a difficult conversion.
Just six minutes later Devan Sharp broke through the centre of the Chorley defence and sprinted to the line where despite a tackle, he twisted over to score Hensinghams’ second try, again converted by Dalton.
The Panthers re-grouped but the momentum was with Hensingham and just 15 minutes Jax Conway went over for a third try.
Ten minutes later, Conway was over again for the fourth, both scored on the left wing, with Dalton adding one conversion for a half-time lead of 22-0.
That looked like a comfortable lead, but as the second half got underway, the Panthers took advantage of a tiring Hensingham and used their powerful pairing of forwards Adam Kirby and Alex Waddington to push Hensingham backwards.
The quick Panthers centre Adrian Ploch was a real attacking threat and the pressure paid off with the hosts scoring two tries, one converted, for a far more competitive score-line of 10-22.
Now Hensingham had to did deep, and dig deep they did.
Harvey Smith and James Stanaway were deployed to make valuable yards; Scott Egan was a ferocious battle force in the centre; Koby Conway was in the thick of everything with his darting runs and fearless tackles, while man of the match Logan Holgate marshalled his line to put the pressure back on the Panthers.
Hensingham were back now on the front foot and Hiddleston used his speed to again charge up the left wing to score an unconverted try to big cheers from the travelling supporters.
It was a score that gave the visitors real breathing space and with Chorley reduced to 12 men through a sin binning, Â Dalton scored the final try of the game.
He sprinting through to dive under the sticks, with Holgate converting.
The clock ticked down and the title was Hensingham’s with the trophy on its way back to West Cumbria. Â
Coach Thornton paid tribute and thanked “every single lad who has put on the black and red shirt this season” as well as the support the club had given the team over a long and tough campaign.
In particular, he thanked Luke Charlton and Ben Rogerson, as well as Hensingham ARLFC committee members, players’ parents and volunteers who had pushed the team on to their success.
