Lowca edged an exciting Holmen Iggesund Cumberland ARL clash with leaders Maryport by 26-22.
It was a third successive tough clash for Lowca, having lost to both top four rivals Wath Brow A and Kells A.
But this time they got it right with tries from Mitchell Todd (2), Xenden Callender, Luke Stockton and Jordan Allen. Man of the match Emerson Allen kicked three goals.
Hosts Maryport, who had led 18-10 at half-time, scored tries through Liam Anderson, Sam Forrester, Danny Dryden and man of the match Luke Baker. Dryden kicked three goals.
Lowca coach Lee Allen said: “It was a really good win for us against a good, skilful Maryport side. We were 18-10 down at half-time but really muscled up in defence in the second half when we scored some nice tries to earn the win.”
Mark Foster, the Maryport coach added: “It was a game, in the end, which could have gone either way. But when we led 18-4 in the first-half if we had scored next I feel we would have gone on and won it.
“However, credit to Lowca they scored almost on half-time and immediately afterwards to get themselves back in the game and after that it was nip and tuck between two evenly matched teams.”
In a battle of the A teams Hensingham came out on top 50-14 at Distington with Jay Weatherill dominating the contest. He scored five tries and kicked seven goals for a personal total of 34 points which might be some form of League record.
But it was a strengthened Hensingham side with Weatherill one of the players drafted in with strong NCL experience, both with Wath Brow and Hensingham.
Jon Carrick, Travis Fyfe and David Cartmell were the other try scorers for Hensingham.
Tom Glover, Steven Conway and Alfie Penaluna were the try scorers for Hensingham with Jaiden Hewer landing one goal.
Chris Crowe, the Hensingham coach said: “t was a great performance as we moved the ball very well and defended the middle really tough against a physical Distington side.
“We had some lads who’ve been playing National Conference League all season who came into key positions and they made a huge difference. We couldn’t use the majority of our Under-18s as they are playing a National Cup semi-final today.
“Hopefully we get to play Distington again with all of our young lads as what Distington have done with their youth over the last few seasons has been brilliant, and it will be good to see the sides go head-to-head.”
Weatherill, not surprisingly was Hensingham’s man of the match with Ryan Hodgson picking up the award for Distington.
Kells A also reached the half century mark as they beat injury-hit Askam 50-4.
Alfie Elliott (3), man of the match Ashton Sice (2), Dan Starkie (2), Casey Chambers and the returning Tyrone Dalton scored tries with goals from Ross Gainford (5), Dalton and Dylan Telford.
Lewis Stables scored the Askam try after they had trailed 24-0 at half-time.
Jonathan Wignall, the Kells coach, said: “It was a good performance against a tough, spirited Askam side. We scored points at the back end of each half which flattered us.
“Askam defended well but we broke them down eventually in the warm conditions.
“There were some very good performances from our middle forwards who kept us on the front foot and defended well.”
Chris Broadley, the Askam player coach said: “We only travelled with 15 players but they were fully committed and stuck at it right to the end.
“I thought Dale Lambton was superb at 13 and set a great example as we try to improve week to week.
“I’d just like to thank Kells for their superb hospitality. That was one of the reasons we joined the League and it’s been a feature of the away games so far.”
Aspatria had their biggest win since returning to the League as they topped 50 points with a 54-16 home win over Flimby.
They built-on a 28-0 half-time lead and scored tries through Stuart Creighton (3), Cory Bouch (2), Keenan Foster, man of the match Francis Dixon, Dan Potts, Billy Stafford and Luke Day. Ben Tootill kicked seven goals.
For Flimby there were tries by Rhys Booty (3) and Cory Petrie with Booty landing a goal. Iestyn Harris was their man of the match.
Aspatria chairman Mark Ridley said: “Our coaching team were well pleased with the support play and how we produced some good, open rugby on our return to Beacon Hill.
“Credit to a young Flimby side who never let their heads drop and kept at it right to the end.”
Flimby’s Ricky Morrison said: “Aspatria were a strong side but our young lads stepped-up in the second-half and put in an excellent performance.
“Iestyn Harris was our man of the match while it was great to see 17-year-old Cory Petrie score a try on his debut.”
Cockermouth Titans enjoyed their best result of the season so far when they won 66-6 at Egremont A.
It had been fairly tight in the first half, with Cockermouth 18-6 ahead at the break, but they pulled away in the second period.
Seamus Hutton (4), man of the match Ryan Scott (3), Regan Tinnion, Jordan Herve, Rhys Burr and player coach Liam McAvoy scored the tries with Tinnion kicking 11 goals.
Nathan Preston scored the Egremont try and Lee Rogers converted.
Egremont coach Kevin Brown said: “The difference was that Cockermouth had a couple of really good strike players in Ryan Scott and Seamus Hutton and with them in the side they will give most teams a game.
“As for us I know it’s a learning curve for the lads but I’m happy to see them out there getting games under their belts, learning and improving as the season goes on.”
