Kells A had to work hard for their 26-12 victory over Cockermouth in the Firpress Printers Cumberland Cup.
They had established a 24-6 half-time lead but could only add a Ross Gainford penalty in the second-half.
The Kells defence stood the test of increased Titans pressure and restricted them to a second converted try to run out 26-12 winners.
Man of the match Clark Chambers (2), Casey Chambers and Dan Starkie scored the Kells tries with Gainford landing five goals in the end.
For Cockermouth there were tries from man of the match Ethan Cross and Ben Irving and two goals by Regan Tinnion.
Kells coach Jonathan Wignall said: “We had the good fortune to have the wet and windy conditions in our favour at the start and were able to race out to a good lead. This was largely due to some barnstorming runs from the Chambers brothers.
“Cockermouth are a formidable outfit and fought back to ensure our defence was kept honest.
“Again we had some players returning from absences and unfortunately Joe Moore had to leave the field early after performing well in his first game of the season.
“Ryan Doran was playing his first game for seven years and was outstanding in what was a good win.”
Liam McAvoy the Cockermouth coach added: “It was disappointing to lose but in the end I was proud of their efforts.
“It all hinged on a poor first 20 minutes when they scored 24 of their points and we had lost three players so were down to one sub for the last hour of the game. It meant lads had to do more minutes than they normally would.
“If we had taken our chances in the second-half we would have got it a bit closer but Kells are a great club and putting out a second team of this quality is what we all should aspire to.”
Lowca made the semi-finals with a 36-20 win over Aspatria as they doubled their 18-4 half-time lead.
The Lowca tries were scored by man of the match Mitchell Todd (2), Matthew Needham (2). Luke Stockton, Jordan Allen and Greg Smith. There were four goals from Keith Campbell.
The Aspatria tries came from Jack Robinson (2), Ben Tootill and Jordan Moore. Luke Johnson, playing his first game after being injured in pre-season, kicked two goals and earned Aspatria’s man of the match award.
Lee Allen, the Lowca coach said: “The game was as I expected, a hard battle for the 80 minutes with Aspatria never giving-up.
“We started well with three good tries to go 14-0 ahead and we were able to keep a healthy lead throughout the game.”
Mark Ridley, the Aspatria chairman said: “Apart from the first 10 minutes it was a close game and a good performance by the Hornets so we paid for our slow start when they scored two tries in the first five minutes.
“It was great to see Luke Johnson back marshalling the troops for man of the match and Jack Robinson had a good game at hooker.”
Maryport have made the semi-finals after an entertaining 36-28 victory over Hensingham A. The tries came from Luke Baker (2), Sam Forrester, Shane Williams, Craig Foster and Attlee Skillen. Blake Miller kicked six goals.
For Hensingham there were tries from Callum Morgan (2), Miller Dalton (2) and Jack Kellett with four goals from Dylan Bragg.
It was 24-12 at half-time so Hensingham edged the second-half but couldn’t close the gap.
Maryport coach Mark Foster said: “It was a really tough game against a young and enthusiastic Hensingham side. They had a couple of old heads and a few with National Conference experience, particularly Jack Kellett who we struggled to contain.
“We didn’t play to the best of our ability but credit to our lads and ultimately we’ve managed to scrape a win and we’re into the semi-finals.
“The thing is we know we need to improve massively going forward.”
First team coach Kris Coward was in charge of Hensingham A and he said: “The boys did really well against a good Maryport side.
“I think in the first half a couple of decision went against us and a couple of lax moments cost us. We definitely gave a good account of ourselves and pleased that so many of our Under-18’s got a run out. I think 13 of the 18 were Under-18s which puts them in good stead for the National Cup final at the week-end.
“Credit to Maryport, a good, physical side with plenty of experience so I was pleased with the way our lads stuck together in what was a good game and a good day. Best of luck to Maryport in the semi-final.”
The fourth quarter final was the tightest of them all as Wath Brow A won 13-12 at Distington A with a last gasp drop goal from Mark Watson.
Distington A were charged with defending the trophy won by their first team last season before their elevation to the Conference League. Indeed, they made a good fist of it and were ahead for most of the second-half before being denied late on.
Kieran Worthington and Kelvin Lynch scored their tries with Jaiden Hewer landing two goals. Shaun Sutton was their man of the match.
For Wath Brow Devan Sharp and Brad White got over for tries with a goal apiece for Jenson Olstrum and Watson before the late drop goal from man of the match Watson won it.
First team coach Aiden Worthington watched the game and said: “I thought we were a bit unlucky not to win it and better game management at the end could have seen it through. There were a lot of 16 and 17-year-olds in there and they will have learned a lot from the game.”
Wath Brow coach Paul Farrell said: “We went there with bare numbers and had 15 players available with four Under-18’s. We had grit, determination and 200% effort.
“It was really an end-to-end game between two young sides, a proper Cup game going hard at each other.
“I didn’t think we were going to win it 90 seconds from the end. They led 12-16 when we levelled and then from the re-start we went down again and Mark Watson landed the winning drop goal just before the hooter.
“It’s something I have never been involved in as a coach and was rather surreal. It was heartbreak for Distington but in the end it was a reward for our effort and everyone playing for each other.”
