Rugby union

Last updated 15:54, Wednesday, 13 February 2008

WHITEHAVEN came out top in the Cumbria League’s match of the day, beating Netherhall 13-9 at the Playground.

Netherhall’s second league defeat of the season hinged on a controversial late try but despite this the Maryport side conceded that Whitehaven deserved their victory.

It was always tight contest after Paul Atkinson put the visitors ahead on 20 minutes with a penalty but Whitehaven equalised five minutes later with a successful penalty by Stephen McConnell.

Whitehaven were on top in the first half with their much bigger pack winning good ball which the home stand-off Steve McCourt used well.

It was only the tenacious Netherhall defence and some poor handling from Whitehaven that kept the scores level.

The visitors suffered a blow at the interval when full back Liam Vickers had to be replaced after taking a knock at the end of the half.

The second half continued much the same as the first with Whitehaven’s number eight George Suafoa (the sponsors’ man of the match) well to the fore for the home side and stand-off McCourt continuing to do a lot of good work.

The back five for Netherhall had to work really hard up-front as the game continued to be evenly balanced.

When Netherhall were awarded a penalty on 60 minutes Atkinson put over a long range kick but this was soon cancelled-out by McConnell who was on target for Whitehaven.

The Whitehaven pack had the better of the forward exchanges but it was Netherhall who went in front again when Atkinson landed a magnificent drop goal seven minutes from time.

But three minutes from the end, the home backs moved the ball wide and although Netherhall claimed there had been crossing in the centres Whitehaven were allowed to go on and Mitchell Dixon grabbed the crucial try in the corner. For good measure McConnell put over a splendid touchline conversion.

Whitehaven coach John Gaffney said: “We wasted a lot of good possession, particularly in the first half with some poor handling but during the course of the game we played two 10 minute spells with 14 men because of yellow cards.”

There was a close contest at Gosforth where Greengarth beat Cockermouth 13-8 but it could have gone either way. The Greengarth fly-half Matt McGoogan was pivotal in the tries which eventually proved decisive.

On 12 minutes he broke away from just inside the Cockermouth half, outstripping the cover to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Ross Maguire landed a penalty for Cockermouth on 16 minutes but this was cancelled out on the half hour when Greengarth regained their five point advantage with a penalty of their own from David Holmes.

Trailing 3-8 Cockermouth started the second half with pace and a physicality which had been missing in the first half.

The Greengarth defence was at full stretch, finding it difficult to cope with the increased tempo. It was no surprise when, on 47 minutes, Cockermouth were rewarded with a try after several phases of excellent rucking and short drives from close in runners.

But even though Cockermouth came back at their hosts and put them under considerable pressure, at crucial times over-exuberance led to a loss of control of the ball and it gave Greengarth the chance to clear their lines.

It was a good effort by improving Greengarth because they had gone into the game with seven regulars missing. Last season they would have had to call-off the game.

Their continued improvement has seen them rise to eighth with a genuine chance of finishing the season in the top half.

Moresby had put up two good performances in defeat against powerful Keswick and Netherhall sides and were able to carry the form forward and earned a 27-0 win at Workington Steelers.

There were some notable performances in the Moresby line-up, particularly skipper Kyle McCurrie at scrum-half; Lee Richardson at full-back along with forwards Brendan Savage and Graham Callan.

McCurrie helped create three of the five Moresby tries and generally the villagers played some very good rugby, adapting well to the big Workington pitch.

The first came after 11 minutes when he put centre Kris Carson through for a try and a virtual carbon copy on 27 minutes doubled the lead. Again it was Carson who finished off.

Just before half-time stand-off Dean Fearon capitalised on more good work by McCurrie to score the third try.

Ten minutes after the restart Moresby increased their lead when centre Dean Finley charged through to score and Richardson added the conversion.

The final try was probably the best of the game when Gary Haile broke from just inside the Steelers half and 18-year-old winger Raan Bragg was supporting well to take the pass and touchdown in the corner.

Egremont and Aspatria Eagles shared the spoils at Bleach Green as a tight game finished 10-10.

Jack Clegg kicked the Eagles ahead with a penalty but the home side edged in front when number eight Chris Temple forced his way over for the opening try.

Aspatria came back and had established a 10-5 lead at the break with a try from which Clegg converted.

Egremont had some good opportunities in the second-half and drew level from one of their best handling moves of the game. The backs used the ball cleanly and full-back Calum Hook came into the line to score an unconverted try.

The game between leaders Keswick and fourth-placed Millom was called-off because of a waterlogged pitch.

Also off was the North Lancs Cumbria League clash at Mirehouse between St Benedict’s and Fleetwood. For the second week in a row the pitch was unfit and it’s the first of those postponements – against Oldham – will be played at the first available date, Saturday February 2.

Fixtures for Saturday, January 26: North Lancs Cumbria League – Upper Eden v St Benedict’s. Cumbria League – BAE Barrow v Gosforth Greengarth; Cockermouth v Whitehaven; Moresby v Egremont; Millom v Workington Steelers.