Hensingham Under-16s are one of a number of Cumbrian clubs celebrating progress in the BARLA National Youth Cups, defeating Woolston Rovers in a very close game, writes Ben Challis.
The physically large and powerful Woolston Rovers squad play in the Premier Division of the North West Counties leagues, one division above Hensingham, but it was Hensingham who triumphed in this second round tie by just a one try margin, with the final score a tight 22-18.
The game started well for Hensingham when Ashton Quigley powered through to crash over to the left of the sticks, with Jackson Smith converting for a 6-0 lead.
Woolston then launched a wave of attacks, helped by Hensingham errors, and finally scored with a scoot up the left wing to the corner flag, leaving the Rover’s kicker with a too difficult conversion.
With just a two point margin Hensingham were grateful for some breathing space when Josh Doran battled and twisted through the Rovers’ defence and barrelled over, again converted by Smith for 12-4, before Woolston grabbed another try back, this time on the right wing, and this one converted for a half time score of 12-10.
Hensingham opened the scoring in the second half with the impressive Smith diving in between the posts, but Smith, usually Hensingham’s most dependable kicker, managed to hit the cross bar with what should have been a simple conversion attempt, so the scores stood at 16-10.
A converted try on the right wing by Cohen Barker gave Hensingham what looked like a winning margin, but as the clock ticked down Wooston turned up the heat and went over for two tries to leave the score at 22-18 after Woolston declined to kick from their final try in the hope of grabbing another try, and draw level, to put the game into extra time.
With less than a minute left on referee Gareth Hewer’s watch, Woolston launched one final desperate charge, but the Hensingham defence held, the whistle blew, and Hensingham could celebrate a hard fought win. Hensingham will meet Golborne Parkside in Round Three, with matches to be played on the weekend of the 25th February.
Kells Under-15s, a side built around last season’s dominant Under-14s team in Cumbria, and now playing a year above their age group, took the lead against Featherstone Lions Under-16s after a mistake strewn first few minutes, with Jacob Hodgson touching down for an unconverted try.
That was as good as it got for Kells, up against the older and larger Featherstone pack who could and did power into the Kells defence.
When Kells lost the influential Tyce Walmsley to injury they were up against it, but never gave up, launched their own attacks, with the Kells’ coaches clearly extremely proud of the player’s efforts and attitude, despite a final scoreline of 48-4.
In other Cumbrian results, Dalton Under-16s lost 10-24 at home to Thatto Heath Crusaders, and Millom Under-16s also lost at home, going down 0-22 to Normanton Knights.
In the second round of the Under-14s BARLA National Youth Cup, Distington Under-14s also came back with a win, 12-24 victors over Featherstone Lions to set up another away trip to face Shevington Sharks.
The win came thanks to tries from Man of the Match Kai Speight with a hat trick, Sonny Strickland and Max Petrie, and both Speight and Robson Campbell each added a conversion.
Kells U14s had travelled to Warrington to take on Culcheth Eagles and came away with a resounding 24-4 win with the tries from Ollie Wright with a brace, Bobbie-Joe Hussey, Archie Robinson and Rhys Williamson, with Williamson adding two conversions. Kells will meet Holderness Vikings at home in the Round Three.
Wath Brow Hornets Under-14s also had a long trip down the M6, this time to Leigh where they met Parkside Goldborne.
A final score of 26-0 to Golborne didn’t justify the effort that the young Hornets put in against a very good and well-drilled side.
One second round fixture will be played next weekend when Maryport Under-14s face Oulton Raiders on February 18.
In the second round of the Under-18s National Cup, only Wath Brow Hornets got a game, with Kells U18s and Hensingham Under 18s being awarded wins after their respective opposition withdrew from the tournament.
Whilst they had the home advantage at the Hornets Nest, the Brow knew they were up against it with just the bare 13 players available on the day for the tie with Rochdale Mayfield.
The first half was a great spectacle for a large crowd, with the visitors going into the break with a 4-16 lead.
The second half was a different matter, and the Brow paid the price for their the lack of interchanges, with Rochdale eventually running away with the win, 4-38.
Kells now face Leigh Miners Rangers away, and Hensingham face Latchford Giants at home.
Lowca Under-18s still have their Second Round tie to complete, away at Drighlington on February 18.
