Kells haven’t enjoyed the best of seasons in National Conference Division One but they have finished strongly.
The last game saw them beat Shaw Cross Sharks 22-14 and that was their third win in a row.
In fact they finished just one place and two points behind the Sharks who occupy the final play-off place.
Kells had led 18-8 at half-time with tries from Harry Watson (2) and Ashton Sice, all converted by Ross Gainford.
The Sharks had closed to 18-14 but a try from Ryan Starkie seven minutes from time clinched the win.
Egremont Rangers had been in late contention for the last play-off place but three successive defeats put paid to that.
They completed the season at relegated Oulton Raiders where they went down 34-0.
The home side led 22-0 at half-time and despite a prominent display from loose forward Pat Wells, Egremont couldn’t breach the Raiders defence.
In Division Two Barrow Island lost 28-0 at runners-up Dewsbury Celtic so miss out on the final play-off place by two points.
The South Cumbrians only had two men on the subs bench and were always up against it, trailing 14-0 at half-time.
Full-back Lewis Regan had a big game for the Islanders and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
The play-offs will be in full swing this coming weekend and Cumbria’s only representatives will be Hensingham.
They go to Clock Face Miners who finished two points better off but over 100 points worse off as far as scoring differential was concerned.
Normanton Knights, who were two points better off than Barrow Island go to Pilkington Recs in the other play-off semi-final.
