On a disappointing day for Cumbria’s eight National Conference sides, only Millom and Barrow Island secured wins, as Wath Brow crashed at Siddal and Ellenborough were hammered at home to East Leeds, writes Ben Challis.
In Division Two of the NCL, Hensingham lost out 16 -26 to third placed PIlkington Recs in a game they certainly could have won, perhaps should have won, but given the number of mistakes and fumbles, it ended up as a game they probably deserved to lose.
It was not a good game, it was marred by mistakes from both teams, but Pilkington led 0-10 at Half Time thanks to tries from Andy Knapper and Jake Topping, with the second try converted by Kyron Knapper.
Hensingham had plenty of chances of chances in the first half with Fletcher Holgate and Dion Crowe coming the closest, but poor decision making, good defence and try line errors were the hosts’ undoing.
The visitors had two chances and took them both. The score line at the break may have flattered Pilkington, but it mattered not and the second half was much of the same but marred by far too many stoppages for injuries (almost all for Pilkington players) and lots of chances for Hensingham.
The hosts did go over for three good tries from Holgate, Reuben Butterworth and Miller Dalton, with Adam Williamson adding two conversions, but they were always playing catch up, and Pilkington added three more of their own from Callum Derrick, Aidyn Jones and Tom Connick and two more Knapper conversions for the win.
Elsewhere, Barrow Island bounced back with a 20-10 win over Thornhill Trojans in a spikey contest, with Barrow’s tries from Ellis Archer, Cameron Currie and Man of the Match Jack Sutherland, with Archer adding four goals, although in less welcome news, Jordan Staffieri is now sidelined with a broken arm.
Ellenborough lost out 6-50 to East Leeds who are still unbeaten in the league this season.
With a score line that doesn’t reflect the game, Elbra’s effort and possession was only rewarded with a single try was from Niall Gray, converted by Brett Stevenson as Leeds’ excellent play in the final third gave them the edge, and the win.
With sixth placed Normanton losing out 19-12 to Drighlington, and second placed Dewsbury Celtic defeating fourth placed Clock Face Miners, Pilkington stay in third sport, Hensingham stay fifth, Barrow Island are seventh and Elbra are still propping up the table in 12th spot.
Barrow host Hensingham next Saturday, August 9, in what is now a crucial derby match, and Ellenborough are at home to the Normanton Knights.
In the Premier Division, Wath Brow Hornets went down to another defeat, albeit in a match that was always going to be a challenge, losing out 0-34 to table toping Siddal who are now four points clear of the chasing pack in the table, with the Brow down in seventh spot.
Wath Brow are away at third placed West Hull next Saturday.
In Division One, and on a day when Kells remembered their president, lifelong supporter, and former director and vice president of Whitehaven RLFC Ron Batty, it was another narrow defeat for the Miners, who lost out 18-24 to Division One leaders Wigan St Judes at the Welfare, despite taking an early lead with a Grant Gainford try converted by Ross Gainford.
Wigan then went over for 6-4, but on the brink of half time Ryan Starkie scooped it over and Ross Gainford again converted for 12-4.
An early score from Wigan put the visitors right back in it at 12-10, and then In a feisty second half Wigan took the lead 12-16 before a penalty and goal and a try from Ashton Sice made it 18-16 to Kells, only for Wigan to steal the win in the final minute with a late, late converted try.
It was an even closer defeat for Egremont Rangers, 26-24 away at Woolston Rovers with the Ranger’s tries from Brad Long, Jak Conway with a brace, and Pat Wells, and the goals from Tom Houghton (2) and Matty Henson (2).
Kells are seventh and Egremont eighth in the table, now equal on 14 points. Kells are away at Heworth, and Egremont at home to Oldham St Annes next Saturday.
In Division Three, Distington again lost on their travels, but given their poor away form, 36-24 to Leigh East was perhaps something to take encouragement from.
Although Leigh had only beaten Distington 16-18 at Grass Road in April, Distington had some hope of something from the game, but started very badly and went 22-0 down before an unconverted try from Callum Fox started the comeback.
A second try from Jack Speight made it 22-8 before an Aiden Worthington try converted by Kie Worthington made it 22-14 at half time. Second half tries from Jessie-Joe Parker and Robbie Joe Worthington kept Distington in the game, but Leigh took the win by a 12-point margin
In the result of the day, Millom were 24-12 winners over Keighley Albion who were top Division Three before the match.
It was quite a battle, but Steven Watson scored the Woollybacks’ opener which Lee Postlethwaite converted 6-0 before Tom Askew went over for an unconverted try and 10-0.
Keighley hit back with two converted tries for a two point lead before a Rangers penalty goal made it all square and 12-12 at half time.
With a Man of the Match performance from Jude Lupton, a second penalty goal gave Millom a narrow 14-12 lead, and then Kyle Evan’s touched down and a Postlethwaite conversion made it 20-12.
In the closing stages a final try from Jackson Evans gave Millom the 24-12 win. Distington are in seventh spot and Millom are eighth, with Millom now four points clear of Milford, and just two behind Distington in a very competitive division.
Distington face Keighley away next Saturday, and Millom are away at bottom side Beverley.
