Under-18 ARL

Last updated 16:03, Wednesday, 03 September 2008

THE newly formed Cumbria Under-18 League played a pre-season nine-a-side competition recently.

Five teams took part, Egremont, Kells, Wath Brow Hornets, Barrow Island and Walney Central at Gillfoot Park.

The first game saw Walney defeat Barrow Island by four tries to nil, then hosts Egremont edged out Wath Brow by four tries to two. Kells then just pipped a very spirited Egremont three tries to one.

In the semi-finals Wath Brow needed a last minute touchdown from Jason Connery to seal their place in the final, defeating a spirited Walney.

Kells booked their place in the final, after seeing off Barrow Island. It was all level at the break but Kells bagged two quick tries in the second half to seal the victory.

In a mouth-watering final, both teams attacked from the start but defences held firm.

Kells were the first to break the deadlock with a try for Alex Jones before Brow hit back with another Connery score to level.

Stephen Rush was next to cross the line after a fine break up the line having to hand off several Kells defenders before touching down. This was to be the final score of the half with the Brow just sneaking a slight lead.

The second half kicked off with Kells’ Ross Gainford unlucky not to cross the whitewash. Brow came back up field and after some fine rugby Glen Riley powered his way through to touch down.

The game went to the wire but three minutes from time, a kick over the Kells defence resulted in a foot race betw-een several Kells players and Brow’s Stephen Rush, who managed to kick the ball up field twice before touching down to claim the game.

Wath Brow: Peter Caddy, Stephen Rush, Gregg Dawson, Glen Riley, Glen Foggin, Tom Sharp, Jordan Smith, Elliott Wood, Lee Curnow, Ben Holmes, Thomas Hyland and Jason Connery.

Kells: Callum Cordin, Drew Dalton, Todd Bennett, Ryan Prince, Lewis Wilson, Sean Fitzsimons, Lewis Smith, Ross Gainford, James Herbert, Alex Jones, Mike Orr.