Wath Brow A and Maryport have produced two cracking games in recent weeks with the score 1-1 – and they are set to meet twice more next month.
Both of them won their top four semi-finals at the weekend and will go head to head in the final – but that will be after Saturday’s forthcoming Firpress Printers Cumberland Cup final.
Wath Brow, chasing a full house of Holmen Iggesund Cumberland League trophies, were too strong for Kells A while Maryport had to go to extra-time to see off the strong challenge of Cockermouth.
The First Division Top Four final was also played on Saturday and Distington A provided some consolation for the club missing out on Conference League promotion, by berating Aspatria Hornets.
Wath Brow were comfortable 46-6 winners against Kells A as they pulled away after a reasonably tight first half in which they led 16-6.
The Brow scored tries through Tom Clarke (2), Nat Dougan, Jackson Benn, Luke Spivey, Luke Davison, Scott Goodwin, Greg Rooney and James Dixon. Rooney kicked four goals and Sam Curwen put over one.
Wath Brow coach Paul Farrell said: “It was good to get through the semi-final and a strong second-half performance saw us reach another final.
“It was another objective ticked-off and we now know that we have two tough finals coming up, both against Maryport who we know well through recent matches.
“It really would be a great season for the club if we can go on and complete a full house but we know Maryport will be competing hard to prevent that.
“We will have some light training sessions this week, put smiles on faces and be tready for what is a great day for CARL and rugby league in the county, when they stage the Firpress Printers Cumberland Cup final. I just hope it attracts a big crowd because I’m sure it’s going to be a cracker.”
Jonathan Wignall, the Kells coach added: “We started strongly and the teams were evenly matched for 30 minutes. However some unforced errors at then back end of the half let the Brow score two unanswered tries before the break.
“A mix of fatigue and clinical play from the opposition let the game get away from us in a very disappointing second-half.
“I was proud of the way the boys didn’t give up in trying circumstances and we wish Wath Brow well in the final as they fully deserved their comprehensive victory.
“It’s been a long hard season for us with a high turnover of players across our squad due to a multitude of reasons. I’d just like to thank all of them who have pulled on a jersey and we look forward to a well-earned rest.”
The other semi-final was much tighter and, in fact, had to be settled in extra-time.
It finished 40-28 to Maryport who scored two converted tries in the added time to beat Cockermouth who had led 16-10 at half-time and with 20 minutes left had stretched their advantage to 28-10.
Liam Anderson (2), man of the match Atlee Skillen (2), Liam Penman, Ellis Nixon and Alex Woodhall scored the Maryport tries with Anderson booting six goals.
Player coach Liam McAvoy led the way with a man of the match performance and a couple of tries for his side while Ethan Cross, Dave Whitworth and Lewis Bancroft also crossed. Regan Tinnion kicked four goals.
Mark Foster, the Maryport coach, said: “Delighted with the win but at one point I thought we had given our all and had nothing left. But once again the lads did us proud with a great rally in the last 20 minutes to pull back 18 points.
“Both sides had drop goal chances which missed so we went into ten minutes each way of extyra time. The first period was stalemate but then in the second our winger Attlee Skillen intercepted 20 yards from our own line and went all the way.
“Our 17-year-old hooker Liam Penman sealed the win by going in from 10 yards near the end. Once again I’m really proud of the way the lads dug themselves out of a hole to win it.
“We know it’s going to be tough against Wath Brow, coming up against them in two finals, and we know we will need to improve – but looking forward to it.”
Cockermouth player coach Liam McAvoy added: “It wasn’t to be but I think maybe reaching the final would have been one step too far for the lads we have.
“I was disappointed on numbers, only 15 on the day, but I was also proud of those fifteen who put everything into a very tough game.
“It ends our season but I think we regrouped and made the top four which was progress and now we are looking forward to really getting stuck into next season and hopefully making more progress.”
In the Division One play off final full-back Jake Bennett scored his first Aspatria try, converted by Ben Tootill while Brad Thomson was their man of the match.
Distington won it with tries from Jack Worthington, man of the match Robbie Joe Worthington, Callum Fox and Jaiden Hewer. Brandon Walker kicked four goals.
Mark Ridley, the Aspatria chairman said: “Credit to a young Distington side who were worthy winners of the final.
“We had got ourselves level after a quick start by Distington but tries either side of half-time on 39 and 41 minutes took the game away from us.
“We were disappointed to lose the final but on reflection we have had a good first season back in the league. In the final there were notable performances from our man of the match Brad Thomson as well as Jordan Moore and Jake Bennett.”
Aiden Worthington, Distington’s head coach added: “It was a great win because before the game, looking at the two sides you would never have thought we could win it.
“Aspatria must have been about two stone a man heavier than our lads but they got stuck in and played some really good rugby.
“Robbie Joe Worthington is only 18 but he has played a fair bit of Conference League rugby and he was just outstanding and I thought Lee Percival, who only started playing rugby this season, gave a flawless first half performance.”
