It was another busy day for Cumbrian clubs in the National Conference League, with Wath Brow Hornets leading the way and moving up to fourth spot in the Premier Division table, writes Ben Challis.
They battled their way to a close 6-14 away triumph on the artificial pitch at Leigh Miners Rangers.
An unstoppable Josh McConnell went over for both of the Hornets’ tries, and Man of the Match Greg Rooney added three goals to secure the points.
In Division One, Egremont Rangers picked up a much needed victory, defeating Shaw Cross Sharks 24-10 at Gillfoot Park with tries from Lachlan.
McDowell, Patrick Wells, James Messenger and Jordan Baird, and four goals from Kristian Tyson.
There was also a win for Kells, who returned from Ince Rose Bridge with a very impressive 6-25 victory on the back of tries from James Ennis, Ryan Starkie, Jack Ainley, Casey Chambers and Oscar Cook, and two conversions from Ross Gainford, who also added a drop goal to the final winning margin.
Rangers move up to sixth place in the table and Kells are eighth, both now well clear of the relegation places.
In Division Two, a youthful Hensingham picked up a very good home victory against a big and powerful Normanton Knights pack, running out 28-14 winners.
Hensingham were never going to batter their opponents into submission, but they had speed and they had energy, and opened the scoring with an early try from Matt Williams who sprinted past the Normanton defence to finish on the right wing with Kieran Mewse adding a good conversion.
As the rain tipped down, the Knights hit back with a converted try, and took the lead through a penalty goal for 6-8, before excellent pressure from the home side led to a spilled ball, and a clever Kier Starkie kick set up Reuben Butterworth who scooped up the ball and touched down for an opportunistic try, again converted by Mewse, for a 12-8 lead at half time.
In a sun drenched second half, Hensingham now looked the better side, with Butterworth adding his well deserved second try from a charge up the right wing, before Williams so nearly added another try but the speedy winger couldn’t quite catch his own grubber kick before it went dead.
Although the Knights scored one more try, two scores from Corby Rickerby one of which was converted by Mewse, and a penalty goal from Mewse meant the winning margin was ultimately comfortable with Hensingham doubling their opposition’s tally.
Elsewhere in Division Two, Barrow Island picked up a very handy away win, coming out 10-28 on top at at Drighlington, with Adam Ford over for two Barrow tries, with one each for Carl Baines, Nathan Sneesby and Shane Sanderson; and with Ellis Archer slotting home four goals. Ellenborough Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Division Two table after another defeat, this one a painful 4-54 home loss to Dewsbury Celtic, with Ellenborough’s only score a Olly Bibby try.
With Elbra in 12th, Hensingham move up one place into fourth place in the table, and Barrow up two places to sixth.
It was a tough afternoon for Cumbria in Division Three.
Millom went down 32-20 at Myton Warriors, albeit after recovering well from a very poor start.
The Woollybacks were 28-0 down after half an hour, but a battling turn around saw Millom pull the score back to a twelve point deficit after an outstanding effort in the remaining 50 minutes.
After last week’s excellent home win over Keighley Albion, it was heroes to zeroes for Distington who crashed 42-0 away at Saddleworth Rangers to stay in eighth spot in the table, with Millom in seventh.
