Wath Brow Hornets bounced back from a heavy defeat to score a fine 28-18 home win over West Bowling.
The sides had been evenly matched for an hour when they were locked at 18-18 but the Hornets pulled away to win with two tries in the final quarter.
It was an extra special win, too, as a big crowd had assembled for the club’s charity day in aid of the Gavin Curwen Foundation.
Owen McCartney had opened with a try for the Hornets after West Bowling had taken the lead, and Sam Curwen’s conversion put the side’s level.
A penalty had put the visitors 8-6 ahead at half time, a scoreline which summed up the tight affair it had been.
Nat Dougan and Karl Dixon crossed for Wath Brow and both were converted by Curwen, but West Bowling responded to level up at 18-18.
The Hornets finished strongly with tries from Josh McConnell and Fran King, one of them converted by Curwen.
Hornets coach Ian Rooney gives his assessment of the game below in conversation with Cumbria Crack’s John Walsh, reveals how he once came close to taking a job in the semi-pro game, why there is such a conveyor belt of talent at the Brow and what Saturday meant for the Gavin Curwen Foundation.
It wasn’t such a good day for Kells, however, as they suffered a 26-4 defeat at Dewsbury Moor – their first loss in 11 games and have now lost the lead in Division One.
Kells had a number of players absent but were not making excuses as they travelled with a decent side and the better team won on the day.
It was looking bad at half time when the Moor established a 20-0 lead but at least the Cumbrians did respond.
Jacob Hodgson scored an unconverted try in the second half and the hosts only added the on further try near the end.
Kells coach Peter Smith gives his take below on a disappointing afternoon for his side:
Egremont coach Danny Barker missed his side’s 36-24 defeat at Stanningley because of his sister’s wedding.
It was a game in which they were always in contention after being 16-12 in arrears at half-time.
Brad Long, Aaron Turnbull, Connor Williams and Dylan Morris scored the Egremont tries with Joe Lewis landing four goals.
Barker will be back on Saturday for a really tasty home clash with the new leaders Dewsbury Celtic.
