Last updated 11:47, Thursday, 09 October 2008

CUMBRIA were cruising 32-12 at the break but a spirited second half display from the Rhinos saw them hit back but it was the host team that had that little extra to see them to safety.

Determined: Action from last night’s game

Watching from the stand was former Wigan and Great Britain star Andy Gregory.

The Rhinos have only been in the Country since Saturday, but despite losing their way in the first forty minutes showed true grit, they never threw in the towel and can go into this weekends game with Yorkshire with confidence.

Cumbrian winger Paul Osborne, the Broughton Red Rose flyer, was in senational form, running in four touchdowns.

Cumbria were off to a fine start with Osborne crossing after just 60 seconds, after good work from Ryan Robb and Scott Lofthouse.

On eight minutes swift handling along the line saw Osborne race in for number two, with Robb converting, 10-0.

The Rhinos came back three minutes later to open their account with Conrad Jacobs drove for the line only to be held short, centre Morne Glassen was inches short, before Andre Louder forced his way over for Glassen to convert 10-6.

Cumbria soon stretched their lead on 16 minutes when swift handling caught the Rhinos all at sea, and full back Reece Davies joined the line to cross, 14-6.

A sweeping attack from the home side saw Aaron Low race clear, but within sight of the line Louder brought off a try-saving tackle. A quick play-the-ball saw Cumbria go further ahead with Nathan Mossop crashing over, Robb tagged on the goal, 20-6.

The visitors were looking sluggish as they tried to cope with the sweeping attacks from the Cumbrians, who went further in front as Osborne raced in from 30 yards to complete his hat-trick, Robb once more obliging with the kick, 26-6.

There was no holding Cumbria and with three minutes left on the clock the overlap provided the opportunity for Scott Lofthouse to score with Robb adding the goal.

On the half-time hooter Pretorious galloped in from 30 yards with Glassen adding the goal.

Pretorious soon completed his hat-trick, after good approach work from Dolf Nel and Louder.

Two minutes later and the Cumbrians were stunned when Henrich Junior raced downfield before being halted short of the line, but there was no stopping the old stager Henrich senior who forced his way over.

On 55 minutes, Cumbria eased matters when Robb slipped a neat ball to Tom Sibley for the Millom forward to drive over the line.

On the hour Sibley and Mark Foster paved the way for Osborne to touchdown for a fourth time in the corner and the score was 40-24.

Barrow Island’s Sam Jones powered in at the corner with ten minutes remaining but the Rhinos were not finished. On 75 minutes after Henrich junior went close, Dolf Nel bulldozed his way over despite the attention of three defenders, Glassen added the goal 44-30. And on the hooter Johan Fritz picked up a loose ball to touchdown.

Cumbria: Reece Davies, Sam Jones, Aaron Low, Scott Lofthouse, Paul Osborne, Ryan Robb, Eddie Robinson, Richard Farrer, Phil Hewitt, Dean Morgan, Tom Sibley, Matt Parkinson, Mark Foster, Nathan Mossop, Brian Parks, John Brocklebank, Mark Haydock.