Wath Brow Hornets A took a major step towards winning the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland League title when they beat Cockermouth in a tough clash at Giel Park.
It finished 14-6 to the Hornets who face another big game this weekend when they travel to Maryport to complete their regular programme.
In a very tight first-half Wath Brow just edged it 8-6 with tries from Luke Spivey and Daley Stables.
Lewis Bancroft scored the Cockermouth try which was converted by Regan Tinnion and a, try from Greg Rooney, converted by Peter Caddy, were the only points in the second-half.
Nat Dougan won the man of the match award for the Brow with player coach Liam McAvoy given the award for Cockermouth.
Paul Farrell, the Wath Brow coach said: “It was frustrating because although we got the win it didn’t reflect the way we have been playing recently.
“We created enough chances but didn’t them for some reason and it was the old adage of finding a way to win. Against a Cockermouth side who never gave in, our effort was outstanding.
“It’s in our hands now to go to Maryport and get the win which wins the league.”
Liam McAvoy, the Cockermouth player coach, said: “I knew it would be a battle and it was. They managed the game well in the second-half and we just couldn’t keep the ball enough. It seemed as though we were always coming out of our own half.
“I was proud of the lads effort in defence. They have some very smart players and we were on our own line for long periods in the second half but we only conceded the one try.
“Wath Brow are the team to aim for and the performance has given us a bit of confidence going into the play-offs.”
Maryport now face a massive game against Wath Brow this weekend at the Athletic Ground when victory will give them the League winners crown.
They beat Lowca 36-22 on Saturday to set-up the showdown with the Hornets, although coach Mark Foster says his team are doing it tough.
“It was a good, evenly matched game as expected against Lowca and the win gives us a chance of winning the league if we can beat Wath Brow.
“We started well again but let Lowca back into it through lapses of concentration in defence. But all credit to Lowca they never gave in, exactly like we knew they would.
“That was more credit to our lads as well, though. They are playing it tough at the moment. I’m asking them to get up for games both mentally and physically #nd at the minute they are so we need to take that on foe the rest of the season. There are big challenges coming up again.”
Maryport, who led 20-10 at half-time scored tries through Chris Ivison (2), Atlee Skillen (2), Carl Steele, Luke Baker and Ashley Smith. Steven Stoddart kicked four goals. Scott Atherton was their man of the match.
Lowca scored tries through man of the match Emerson Allen (3) and Keith Campbell with the latter kicking three goals.
Coach Lee Allen said: “It was a yo-yo first-half with a few errors from us that gave Maryport a platform to get a foothold in the game and they were clinical in punishing our errors.
“When we settled down we scored some decent tries of our own but the second-half was bery tough for both teams with fatigue taking its toll. Both teams had tightened up defensively.”
Two games in the First Division produced victories for Flimby Vikings and Askam.
Flimby won 48-20 with tries from Nathan Kirkbride (3), Rhys Booty, Ben Harrison, Ryan Williams, Grant Underwood and Dan Weir. All eight were converted by Weir. Ryan Williams received their man of the match award.
The Aspatria tries were scored by Tom Gardner (2), Ben Tootill and Stuart Creighton with Tootill landing two goals.
Ricky Morrison the Flimby coach said: “Aspatria came at us very strongly as we expected and for the first 20 minutes it was a very close, hard game.
“Rhys Booty and Nathan Kirkbride found their form and e managed to get in front but Aspatria didn’t give up.
“Blake Miller, our latest signing from Maryport, had an outstanding game along with our captain who kicked all the conversions.
“A big word to for the evergreen Neil Byers for the way he carried out his refereeing duties.”
Mark Ridley the Aspatria chairman said: “Tom Gardner scored to put us ahead but then we had Jordan Moore sin-binned and that proved a turning point as Flimby scored two quick-fire tries.
“It was our first game in six weeks and despite the hot conditions our lads stuck at it all the way through.
“Whilst disappointed to lose I was pleased for Flimby who have dug in all season, never missing a game and their young players are showing a lot of promise.”
In the other game Askam collected both points from a 34-26 win over Distington A with tries from Joey Blowers, Luke McIntee, Oliver Guest, Dale Lambton, Dylan Barrow and man of the match Luke Bolton. Lewis Stables kicked five goals.
Distington, who trailed 12-6 at the break, scored tries through man of the match Kelvin Lynch (2), Kelton Lynch, Deaton Askew and Kyah Frazer. Askew kicked three goals.
Chris Broadley, the Askam coach said: “It was a really good game between two evenly-matched sides and delighted to get the win. We will be putting extra emphasis on defence in training this week.”
