Two close games stood out in the weekend programme of six matches in the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland ARL.
For while there were comfortable victories for Wath Brow A, Egremont A, Lowca and Maryport the other two fixtures were much closer.
In fact Distington A and Aspatria couldn’t be separated as they finished all square at 22-22 – and had actually been level 10-10 at the break.
It was always tight, physical and hard-fought with James Robinson (Aspatria) and Scott Rooke (Distington) both sent off while Ben Tootill (Aspatria) and Distington (Shaun Adams) spent time in the sin bin.
As a result the Hornets played 60 minutes with 12 men while Distington also had to cope with their dismissals in the second-half.
The Distington tries came from Aaron O’Donnell (3) and Deaton Askew with three conversions by Jaiden Hewer. Teenage hooker Bailey Worthington was man of the match.
For Aspatria there were tries for man of the match, full-back Keenan Foster (2), Guy Reed and Brad Thomson with three conversions from Toothill. Second-row Thomson, in his first season of rugby league, went 40 yards for his touchdown.
Ryan Hodgson, the Distington A coach said: “The game was a kind of throw-back, like going back ten years as it was very stop, start and with two reds and two yellow cards.
“The biff was back but hopefully it stays in that game because we kind of got baited into their niggle around the ruck and play-the-balls instead of sticking to our game plan.
“But hats off tpo our young lads as they did not take a backward step and continued to give as good as they got, showing great courage and determination to level the scores after twice being behind.
“Jaiden Hewer kicked really well and showed a cool head to level the game late on while prop Greg Bedford was man of the match and put in a real dominant performance.”
Mark Ridley, with the Aspatria view, added: “It was a really tough, physical contest but typical rugby league it ended with handshakes all round and a pint and a craic in the clubhouse.
“Actually there was a controversial ending. Right at the finish we were awarded a penalty in a kickable position when a melee occurred and the whistle was blown so we didn’t get chance to take it.
“I was disappointed that we conceded two minutes from the end but in fairness Distington had failed to capitalise on a couple of opportunities in the first half.
“I’d just like to praise the youngsters on both sides they earned their stripes in what was a tough arm wrestle.”
Not a draw, but in doubt until the final whistle was the clash between Cockermouth and Kells A which the Titans won 32-26.
They had led 20-10 at half-time and just did enough to hold on as Kells trimmed the lead in the second-half.
Shamus Hutton (2), Regan Tinnion, Ryan Scott, Alex Barton and Luke Armstrong went over for Cockermouth’s tries and man of the match Scott landed four conversions.
Kells responded with tries from Kieran Halcrow, Richard Marr, Keiran Parr, Brandon O’Connor and Dan Grears with three conversions from Ryan Starkie.
Cockermouth coach Liam McAvoy said: “It was a good win because we really dug in, especially in defence.
“I was really happy to get our first win of the season and it was great to see the lads working hard for each other.
“Ryan Scott makes a big difference to us so it was good to have him back and he turned in a man of the match performance.”
Jonathan Wignall, the Kells coach said: “We started superbly and played really well, completing our sets and getting points as a reward.
“But Cockermouth played very tough as anticipated and came back to deserve their half-time lead.
“We began the second-half well, like the first, but deviated from the game plan. Cockermouth managed to get late points and came out deserved winners.
“From our point of view it was a disappointing loss but one which we must learn from.”
Egremont A were 40-16 winners against Flimby but the League newcomers gave a particularly good account of themselves in the second-half after they had trailed 26-6 at the break.
Paul Corkhill (3), Callum Aitken, Dillon Scott, man of the match Quinn Wright and Charlie Ward scored tries for Egremont with Lee Rodgers putting over six conversions.
Flimby’s man of the match was Nathan Kirkbride after he scored all three of their tries, while Rhys Booty and Dan Weir kicked a conversion apiece.
Ricky Morrison for Flimby said: “Egremont were a young side, really well drilled and they gave a really solid performance.
“However, I can see the improvement from our lads and they played really well so plenty of positives.
“Ryan Brough was making his debut for his first ever game of rugby league while Rhys Booty had an excellent game in his first season of open age rugby.”,
The other three winning sides all topped fifty points as they enjoyed comfortable successes.
Wath Brow A led 22-0 at the interval before going on to beat Hensingham A 52-6.
The lone Hensingham try was scored by Danny Stables, converted by Luca Hiddleston while Keir Starkey won their man of the match award.
Wath Brow A’s 11 tries were scored by Jack Meagan (3), Jackson Benn (2), Matt Sibbald, Nat Dougan, David Bradley, Daley Stables, Luke Davidson and man of the match Greg Rooney. Matt Sibbald kicked four goals.
Wath Brow’s Paul Farrell said: “Credit to a young Hensingham side. They kept coming and scored in the end.
“Our completion rate was high and we took chances, although missed others which will need working on.
“It was a pleasing result, scoring some very good tries and our defence when needed did well, almost getting a clean sheet.”
It was a similar tale at Askam where Maryport topped fifty points again, winning 52-10 after leading 22-4 at half-time.
Dale Lambton capped a good performance by scoring both the Askam tries, one of which was converted by Lewis Stables. Zak Wright was man of the match.
Maryport’s tries came from Shane Williams (2), Danny Dryden (2), Liam Anderson, Ash Smith, Craig Foster, Sam Forrester and Chris Ivison. Blake Miller kicked eight goals and Ellis Nixon was selected as man of the match.
Chris Broadley, the Askam coach said: “We were competitive for the first 20 minutes but Maryport just had too much quality for us in the end.
“We dug deep and I was impressed with the effort from the lads as we only had 15 available because of illnesses, and it was an improvement on the Wath Brow game.”
Mark Foster, the Maryport coach added: “Askam came at us hard in the first 20 minutes as we expected. They scored first so we were under the pump a bit but managed to weather the storm.
“It was a bit scrappy from us but it was a winning performance and we now have a week’s break before two derby games with Glasson and Ellenborough in quick succession.
“Highlight for us was an 80-yarder from ex-Workington and Whitehaven star Sam Forrester and it’s great to have him back playing again.”
Lowca were 56-6 winners at Glasson scoring 28 points in each half. Tyler Beales scored a try and landed the conversion in the second-half for Glasson who had Connor Wilson as their man of the match.
The Lowca tries came from Mitchell Todd (2), man of the match Xenden Callender (2), Emerson Allen (2), Jordan Allen (2), Ashton Briscoe and Luke Stockton. The conversions came from Evan Hodgson (6) and Keith Campbell (2).
Lowca’s Finn Barwise and Jamie Haile spent time in the sin bin as did Matt Burns of Glasson.
Scott Burns, the Glasson coach said: “Lowca were everything we expected of them and we just didn’t control anything after setting off badly.
“It was a shame really because everything beforehand had been perfect. The preparation had been good but it just didn’t happen for and we were outclassed by a very good Lowca side.
“It was a lack lustre performance from Glasson and was very disappointing.”
Lowca’s Lee Allen added: “It was really pleasing from our point of view because they did exactly what we asked the lads to do.
“We have a National Cup game next week so this was massive for us, applying the game plan perfectly and getting used to winning games.”
Next week’s games are: Saturday – Hensingham A v Aspatria; Glasson Rangers v Kells A and Flimby v Wath Brow A.
Lowca and Cockermouth are both involved in tough-looking BARLA National Cup ties away next week. Lowca go to Rochdale Mayfield while Cockermouth are at Thatto Heath.
