Egremont clinch league title
Last updated 15:55, Wednesday, 30 April 2008
TWO tries from Kieran Glenn and one for Luke McCourt helped Egremont to a win over Seaton and the Cumberland League title.
The game was a war of attrition in the early stages as both sides pounded each other with big hits in the tackles. There seemed no way through the defences so when Seaton received a penalty for a high tackle, John Richardson kicked for goal to go 2-0 in the lead.
But with defences still winning the day, both sides went to an aerial onslaught. Seaton kicked high on the 25 yard line and pressurised McCourt into spilling the ball.
Seaton’s repeat set of six allowed them to send their hard running forwards into battle but the huge efforts in defence from Jared Stewart, Kieran Glenn and Kristian Bailey held the home side at bay.
Bailey was also instrumental in directing the team out of the red zone supported by the outside backs Alexander Bainbridge, Blake Mahovic and Callum Aitken.
With territorial advantage gained, the half-backs organised good angles of runs from Glenn and then Stewart, but Stewart pulled up with a hamstring injury that could see him miss the remainder of the season.
In another return, McCourt took charge in his own half and went on a meandering run around the outside of Seaton defence then back through the middle. The obstacle course training earlier in the week paid off and a remarkable try provided inspiration to the Rangers. McDonald converted to put his side 6-2 in front.
Then it was Egremont’s turn to sound the air sirens as James McDonald put up the big bombs, Shane Ackerley was unable to collect as it seemed to roll off his shoulder for Egremont to pick up but the referee saw nothing and called the set of six complete and handed the ball to Seaton.
On the next attack, the bomb went to the corner and as Egremont collected to score the referee blew for offside.
The second half saw Egremont take more control and, the longer the game went on, the more tired and undisciplined the Seaton defence became.
Ackerley received his second penalty for lifting Egremont’s winger Matthew Donaldson above horizontal. The resulting penalty saw Egremont take up field position in Seaton’s half. Strong running forwards Jamie Forister and Joel Schwarzer made good ground. Then, McDonald organised the play out wide to put Glenn and over the line for an unconverted try.
Seaton came back and were unlucky to have a try disallowed for what seemed an excellent long cut out pass from classy stand-off Callum Phillips, was judged forward. But, minutes later, it was Egremont’s own class half-back Alastair Leak’s turn to organise plays and big substitute Cameron McGlennon made big yards up the middle.
Leak sprayed the ball left to Matthew Bewsher who delayed the off-load to a strong running Mahovic who was pulled up just short of the line. The ball was transported back to the right side of field where Forister dummy run attracted defenders and the slipped pass behind him to Glenn enabled him to ghost over the line unopposed for the deciding try.
Kells under-14s have clinched the West Cumbria Youth League Trophy after they finished the season with a 100 per cent record.
They won all 12 games of ther 2007/08 season and were presented with the trophy on Sunday.
The under-14s and under-16s League Cup finals are to be held at Lowca today (Thursday).
The under-14s match between Kells and Broughton Red Rose kicks off at 6pm and the under-16s final between Egremont and Wath Brow Hornets kicks off at 7pm.
