Wath Brow A won the Iggesund Holmen Cumberland League Premier Division title with a revenge win over Maryport.
It was Maryport’s narrow 26-24 home win last week which necessitated a play-off to decide the title, and this time the Hornets came out on top 24-12.
In doing so they became the first A team to win the Cumberland League title, and it gave them their second trophy after earlier winning the EB Lamb and Son Amateur Cup.
Paul Farrell, a proud Hornets coach said: “I think it was a deserved win and the crown is what we’ve worked hard for all season. We have played some good rugby and also had to scrap at times, but we’ve come through it as champions.
“We had to make a number of changes but the lads who came in have added a bit of experience and helped us dominate most of the game. It’s also satisfying that we had five Under-18s in the squad.
“On the day I thought our forwards were magnificent because Maryport kept coming at us through their forwards and we defended superbly.
“Now we want to go on and add some more silverware to the collection with the top four play-offs and the Cumberland Cup. That really would top a great season for the team and the club.”
Opposite number Mark Foster added: “Overall the best team on the day won but I thought they were two evenly matched sides for the most part.
“Wath Brow controlled field position and possession better in the first half,m especially going downhill and with the win behind them.
“Our lads showed really good resilience in defence throughout, but especially during that first-half when the Brow scored right on half-time.
“We got back into in the second-half with out first try to put our tails up but Brow hit back to go 18-6 before we scored again with almost ten minutes left. Brow clinched it with another score right in full-time.
“Overall, though, I am really proud of the lads as they couldn’t have given me any more. EWev were missing some key players and picked-up some bad injuries during the game but no excuses and congratulations to Wath Brow on winning the title.
“We can now re-group and go again in the play-offs and the Cumberland Cup final.”
Wath Brow had led 12-0 at half-time and during the second-half it was 18-12 but another try for the Hornets saw them through to the title.
Scott Goodwin (2), Tom Chambers and Callum Farrer scored the Wath Brow tries and man of the match Greg Rooney added four conversions.
For Maryport there were tries by Luke Baker and Chris Ivison, with two conversions by Liam Anderson. Ellis Nixon was their man of the match.
The First Division Top Four play-off semi-final also saw a turn round in the result as Distington A won at Askam 24-22 to earn a final shot at Aspatria Hornets.
Aiden Worthington, Distington’s head coach said: “It was a great win for them as they only went with 15. We are pleased how they have developed during the season, which was their first in open age rugby.”
Chris Broadley, the Askam coach added: “We had Oliver Middleton sent-off 14 minutes from the end of normal time for punching which didn’t help. They had a man yellow-carded at the same time and it finished 16-16.
“We both scored a converted try in extra-time and then Distington won it with a penalty from the last kick of the game.
“They have been three close games between us this season and this one could have gone either way. It would have been nice to reach a final but we have enjoyed our first season in the League.”
Luke Bolton, Rob Cockayne and Jordan Hopkins scored the Askam tries in normal time, two of them converted by Lewis Stables. Dale Lambton scored in extra-time and Stables converted.
Jack Worthington, Jaiden Hewer and Tom Glover scored the Distington tries in normal time, two converted by Brandon Walker.
In extra time Deaton Askew scored a try, converted by Walker who won the game with the last gasp penalty.
