Rugby league: John Smith’s Cumberland League

Last updated 16:21, Wednesday, 26 March 2008

Rugby League: John Smith's Cumberland League

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The line is in sight: Scott Farmer heads for the whitewash

ELLENBOROUGH Rangers have opened up the a championship chase in Division One 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 Alan McGuiness 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.

Elsewhere, Miguel Blanco-Charters converted tries by Daniel Rooney, Jonathan Dawes, John Dollochin and Mark Foster in Maryport’s 24-16 victory over Distington, for whom Grant Dryden bagged a brace of tries, with Trevor Dryden also 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 tie at Cockermouth.

Fixtures for Saturday, March 29

John Smith’s Cumberland League Division One –  Seaton Rangers v Maryport; Hensingham v Broughton Red Rose. John Smith’s Cumberland League Division Two - Flimby v Cockermouth. Dale Campbell Savours Cup Round Two – Maryport A v Salterbeck. All league game kick-off at 2.30pm and the cup game kicks off at 2pm.