It took a Cumbrian derby to decide who would be champions in Division One of the North West Counties Under-16s League, writes Ben Challis.
And in a fierce battle, it was Wath Brow Hornets who took the win and the title, defeating Seaton Rangers 0-30 on a rain soaked pitch at Seaton.
Two very good teams packed with young talent had gone into the match in the top two positions in the division, Seaton in second spot having won 13 of their 15 games played, and Wath Brow league leaders having won 14 of their 15 with the Brow’s only loss to Seaton, and Seaton with a marginally better points difference.
Seaton knew they had to win, the visitors knew a draw would be enough, but a win would be sweet revenge for the Hornets, and would add the bragging rights, and the trophy in a prestigious division that featured some big clubs including Leigh Miners, Orrell St James, Thatto Heath and Waterhead Warriors.
Let battle commence!
At the end of the day, a dominant Wath Brow took their victory thanks to a hat trick of tries from Kaleb Crosby, two from Tyce Walmsley and one from Man of the Match George Robinson, with Billy Joe Towers adding three conversions from five.
Wath Brow started on the front foot and it took Crosby just three minutes to go over for his first try, charging up the left win and sliding in through the mud for an excellent score.
The playing conditions were appalling, with heavy rain drenching the opening sets, and the mud and moisture made grip, ball handling and even staying upright a challenge, but the Hornets handled that challenge the better, had the majority of possession, and always looked dangerous on the wing.
But it wasn’t all one way, and Ed Williams made a number of good advances for Seaton, pushing down the field, and the Rangers almost managed to get a score when Jacob Hodgson beat Crosby in a foot race for a spinning kick forwards, diving in to try and get his hands onto the ball, but the ball bobbled over the touchline.
As the game continued the Brow had the edge, Seaton fluffed their lines at crucial moments, but neither side could get over the try line until the impressive George Robinson powered up the left wing, found an extra gear and went in to touch down for Wath Brow just before half time with the conversion leaving the scores at 0-10 to Wath Brow at the break.
With a large and vocal crowd cheering on both teams, the rain eased off as the second half began, but this remained an intense battle, and referee Neil Byers had to stop the game on a number of occasions to maintain order.
It was Walmsley who scored next, 15 minutes in, crashing over into a huge puddle of mud under the sticks, with Towers adding the conversion.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, it looked being the crucial score, and when Crosby added his second try down the right wing, shrugging off challenges to head in with 10 minutes left, it was game over.
With Wath Brow dominant on the wing, a repeat of the previous try gave Crosby his hat trick with five minutes left on the clock and with the score line at 0-26 the win for Brow was beyond doubt.
A final try for Walmsley in the last minute came as Walmsley miskicked a grubber hat span off at an angle, only for Hodgson to out do him by launching a kick to put the ball into touch only to miss completely, Walmsley pounced, regathered the ball, and slid in for the Hornet’s final score in the mud, and the win.
