Hensingham won the BARLA National Cup Under-18s final yesterday with a hugely impressive 48-10 win over Birkenshaw Bluedogs.
The West Cumbrians had battled into a 24-4 lead by half-time after the Bluedogs had started in super-physical mode in the middle, dominating field position.
Gradually, though, Hensingham started to play with their heads-up and were able to move the ball, getting outside of the Bluedogs with a quick shift which took them the length of the field for the first score.
After that it was a case of Hensingham grinding away and when the opportunities came they were executed every time.
The Hensingham bench made an impact every time they made a change which helped as it was a really tough battle in the middle and lads were fatigued.
The second=-half was a real, niggling contest with Birkenshaw trying to bully Hensingham but the Cumbrians stuck at it and defended them out of the game forcing them into mistakes.
As a result Hensingham scored some super tries – going corner to corner, from chip-throughs or length of the field interceptions.
Coach Chris Crowe said: “The lads did everything I asked of them and all the work they have put in throughout the year paid off, and was shown-off on the biggest stage of all at Featherstone.
“These are a really special bunch of lads who have achieved something really special that will be remembered for a long time.
“I’d just like to thank all the supporters and parents who came down, as the atmosphere was brilliant and you wouldn’t think we were virtually the away team for the final.”
The club’s head coach Kris Coward said: “It’s a great achievement and personally I was gutted not to be able to travel down because of work but I have been able to watch it on YouTube.
“The team coach Chris Crowe has done a great job and on the day the team was outstanding, from one to 17. They defended in packs and produced some great attacking rugby to score their tries.
“Birkenshaw had a couple of good players in a young side which fought hard, but our lads were just too good and were deserving champions.”
The Hensingham tries were scored by Corby Rickerby (2), Fletcher Holgate (2), Dylan Bragg, Byron Coulson, Kier Starkie and Jaylen Conway.
Man of the match Bragg landed eight conversions.
