Cumbria launched their Bill Beaumont County Championship campaign with a commanding 52-26 win over Durham at Kendal.
The Cumbrian squad had a good representation from the host club Kendal while Sunderland and West Hartlepool provided the backbone of the Durham side.
The hosts exploded out of the blocks, racing to a 31-5 half time lead with five tries to one to take a firm grip on the game.
The opener came via a bullocking run by outstanding number 8 Peter Weightman, converted by Dan Stephens and the second when Ben Halloran profited from a grubber kick by Stephens.
Both had come within the first six minutes and when Weightman notched his second try 10 minutes later from a pick-up at the back of a five-metre scrum Cumbria really had lift off.
Further tries in the first half followed from Alfie Bradshaw and Richard Addison with Flynn Manihera converting the last to add to Stephens’ previous two kicks.
Durham mounted a strong fightback in the second half as the game became an open, high-tempo affair with break throughs from both teams who scored 21 points apiece.
Ben Dixon, Lewis Tingey and Chris Graham all crossed for tries which were converted by Manihera..
In the post-game debrief the Durham captain described the experience of the opening assault as being blown away by Cumbria.
This was a fair description of the dominance with which Cumbria they showed in that rampaging start.
The game featured plenty of breakdown action, numerous rucks, several turnovers, a high penalty count and a 10-minute sin-bin for Cumbria’s Dixon.
Durham responded well after the half-time break, matching Cumbria with three tries and three conversions each in a more even second half.
Winger Marc Edmundson for the visitors ran in two tries, one in each half.
There is a strong depth of talent coming through Cumbrian rugby with three of the eight tries coming from players on the debut county appearance – Addison, Tingey and Graham.
Replacement fly-half Flynn Manihera broke through several tackles with his first touch to help create a try from 30 metres out.
The match was officiated by referee Rosie Cartwright, with AR’s Martin Maughan, Dan Shovelton and fourth official Alasdair Boyle.
Jack Gaskell (Penrith) received his official Cumbria Cap on his fifth appearance in recognition of this achievement in county rugby.
Eight players made their debuts and were formally awarded their county tie by the youngest ever ex-president of Cumbria Rugby, Arthur Perie.
Recognised were: Oscar Coxon, Richard Addison, Lewis Tingey, Chris Graham, Finn Kennedy, Ben Clark, Lewis Bell, and Flynn Manihera a proud milestone for the individuals and the county.
Cumbria now top their group with maximum points after the first of three matches ahead of Saturday’s game with Northumberland at Penrith.
Hear Cumbria RFU’s Dan Bowman give his verdict below:
