Last updated 11:11, Monday, 24 March 2008

WATH Brow Hornets put their celebrations following their victory over Ince Rose Bridge in the ACE Insurance (Europe) BARLA National Cup to one side to resume their bid to return to the top flight of the National Conference League.

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No way through: Craig Lofthouse tries to break through the Ellenborough line

Hornets remain in eighth spot, some way behind the vital top three, despite easing to a 32-10 verdict over Oldham St Anne’s.

But with two games in hand on third-placed York Acorn, and three in respect of second-placed Saddleworth, (and with five and six points, respectively, to make up) Wath Brow’s future is effectively in their own hands.

Coaches Ian Rooney and Ian Rudd are far too wily and experienced a pair to allow the National Cup Final at Fylde against East Hull on Saturday May 24 to become a distraction.

And with a tough outstanding programme of home games against Wigan St Judes, York Acorn, Ince Rose Bridge and East Leeds, plus visits to Bradford Dudley Hill, Shaw Cross and Thatto Heath, Hornets have the opportunity to damage the promotion prospects of several rivals.

On the evidence of the win on Saturday, Wath Brow are in the mood. The Saints, who Hornets beat 25-16 in the epic 2004 National Cup Final, were 10-4 ahead midway through the first half, having replied to winger Paul Byers’ early try with two touchdowns and a conversion.

Wath Brow, however, forced their way back into the frame when a break by centre Francis King set up the position for Byers to grab his second score.

And with props Mark Troughton and Phil Coyles, together with loose forward David Pettit and winger Jonny Lopez, helping keep Oldham at bay, the platform was established for scrum half Andrew Hocking to launch a raid which centre Andrew Stables – the man of the match – carried on, Pettit crashing over and full back Ryan Amor adding the extras for a 14-10 interval lead.

Hornets went on to dominate the second period, David Currie sending James Toman over and second row James McClellan and Mickey McAllister crossing in the final quarter.

Stand off Craig Johnstone added all three conversions as revenge was gained for the 16-10 defeat in Oldham in September.

There was disappointment for MILLOM, however, when the opportunity to retrieve pole position in DIVISION TWO from Normanton, who had beaten Heworth on Friday evening, was denied them when Hull Isberg’s pitch was ruled unfit.

EGREMONT RANGERS, meanwhile, went in front against Stanningley with a Warren Stainton penalty but were 28 points adrift, having lost Mal Carter, Stainton and Ben Walker to injury, before John Paul Brocklebank crossed in the final minute in a 30-6 defeat.

ELLENBOROUGH RANGERS have opened up the JOHN SMITH'S CUMBERLAND LEAGUE championship chase with a stunning 34-20 victory at previously unbeaten KELLS, despite the absence through injury of powerhouse packman Paul McGee.

Elbra, who have yet to play Kells at home, may be 11 points shy of the leaders but with five games in hand the title is now very much in the balance.

Hooker Kyle Lofthouse scored a hat trick in a win which looked doubtful when Kells hit back from 16 points down to just 24-20 adrift as the game entered the final quarter. If a `try’ for Al McGuinness had been allowed, the outcome could have been very different. The score, however, was vetoed, and Rangers made the most of the escape, Stephen Brough adding insult to injury with a 90-metre interception try and Lofthouse sealing victory with his third touchdown.

Barry Murdock and David Sewell claimed Elbra’s other tries, and Stephen Stoddart kicked five goals. Scott Lofthouse bagged a brace for Kells, with Carl Schofield and Lee Kiddie also crossing and Ryan Robb adding two conversions.

Elbra’s main problem could prove to be a fixture backlog which includes eight league games, Tuesday’s visit by Distington in the SJR Building Contractors Cumberland Cup, and hoped-for progress in the E Lamb & Son Cumberland Amateur Cup and the Bartlett's Insurance Champion of Champions Series – not to mention the Cumberland League's Top Four Play-offs.

Richard George got a hat trick as champions SEATON RANGERS won 78-6 at GREAT CLIFTON. James McKay and Peter Watson added two tries each and Duncan Moyle contributed a try and 13 goals. Chris George, Brett Phillips, Paul Rooke, Adam McGlasson and Andy McGlasson also romped in, while Clifton could only muster a try by Kevin Wilson which Nick Burgess improved. Elsewhere, Miguel Blanco-Charters converted tries by Daniel Rooney, Jonathan Dawes, John Dollochin and Mark Foster in MARYPORT’S 24-16 victory over DISTINGTON 24-16, for whom Grant Dryden bagged a brace, with Trevor Dryden touching down and Clayton Sutton kicking two goals.

Meanwhile, FRIZINGTON bounced back from 12-0 down at the break to beat LOWCA 20-14 in DIVISION TWO. There were two tries by Todd Murphy in the revival, Tony Burns scored a try and two goals, and Gary Palmer crossed. Neil Halbert, Dave Colley and Jonathan Poole had nipped over for Lowca, who could only muster a Keith Campbell penalty thereafter.

WIGTON were unable to raise a team for the DALE CAMPBELL-SAVOURS CUP clash at COCKERMOUTH.

National Conference League: Division One – Wath Brow Hornets 32, Oldham St Annes 10. Division Two: Egremont Rangers 6, Stanningley 30; Hull Isberg v Millom -pp.

John Smith's Cumberland League: Division One – Kells 20, Ellenborough Rangers 34; Great Clifton 6, Seaton Rangers 78, Maryport 24, Distington 16. Division Two: Frizington 20, Lowca 14.

Dale Campbell Savours Cup (Round Two): Cockermouth v Wigton - no team.

Tuesday

SJR Building Contractors Cumberland Cup (round two): Ellenborough Rangers v Distington.

Saturday

National Conference League – Division One: Shaw Cross Sharks v Wath Brow Hornets.

Division Two: Egremont Rangers v Milford Marlins; Millom v Heworth.

John Smith's Cumberland League – Division One: Ellenborough Rangers v Glasson Rangers; Seaton Rangers v Maryport; Great Clifton v Kells; Hensingham v Broughton Red Rose. Division Two: Flimby v Cockermouth.

Dale Campbell Savours Cup (round two): Maryport A v Salterbeck.

Sunday

BARLA County Championship – Open Age: Cumbria v Yorkshire. Under 19s: Cumbria v Yorkshire. (Both at Millom).