Rugby union: Cumbria League

Last updated 17:43, Thursday, 20 March 2008

THE leading four teams in the Cumbria League met-up on Saturday – with the two top sides coming-out on top.

Unbeaten leaders Keswick won 41-9 at Whitehaven while second-placed Netherhall defeated Moresby 20-0.

At the Playground, Whitehaven were in the game with Keswick for a long time and it was only in the closing 15 minutes when the League leaders scored four tries that they pulled away.

Home coach John Gaffney said: “They were very impressive in the end but it wasn’t a 41-9 game. I was disappointed that when we had some opportunities to score tries and get a lead we were unable to do so.

“The year we won promotion, we were finishing our chances and that’s the big difference.”

Whitehaven, in fact, had started well and it was against the run of play when Keswick took the lead. Clever play from John Hine at a quick tap penalty saw him chip through and follow-up to score. Mark Ireland added the conversion.

Stephen McConnell kicked two penalties for Whitehaven but a penalty from Ireland gave Keswick a 10-6 lead at the break.

Whitehaven enjoyed a very good spell at the start of the second-half but could only reduce the arrears with a penalty by McConnell.

Despite some good runs in the centre by McConnell and strong work by George Suafoa in the second-row, Whitehaven couldn’t get the try they needed.

When Keswick broke quickly, picking up on a Whitehaven mistake, Michael Branthwaite went in for a try which stretched the lead to 15-9.

Keswick finished the game well, breaking impressively to score tries from Matty Roper, Jamie McKenzie, Hine and Ben Farrell. Ireland converted two and Brian Storey improved the last.

It was Whitehaven’s fourth defeat in a row and they will be looking to end the sequence on Saturday when they visit Workington Steelers.

Millom moved into fourth place after they had won 9-0 in a hard-fought game at Wigton Wanderers. Ashley Lamont kicked three penalties.

There was a tight game at Gosforth Greengarth where the home side just held on to beat an enthusiastic young Workington Steelers side 22-18.

Steelers had started brightly and scored a penalty early on from Jonathan Howarth but the home side hit back immediately.

From a catch and drive, prop forward Stephen Brown was bundled over for his first try of the season.

Gosforth Greengarth forced the pace again and increased their lead when prop Jason Graham, who was playing centre because of absences, barged his way over in the corner.

The home side scored a third try before the break when Matt McGoogan picked-up a loose ball and broke away, linking with the backs, before finishing off himself.

Workington started brightly in the second half and quickly reduced the arrears with a second Howarth penalty.

They got even closer with an unconverted try. Alan Mitchell put in a great break, supported by Robert Hodgson and eventually Lee McDonald dived over for the try.

Gosforth Greengarth responded well and good play by Adam Lamb set-up McGoogan for his second try by the posts which Graham Temple converted.

Steelers weren’t finished, however, and when John Chisnall put-up a clever box kick a defensive mix-up allowed Barry Lister to come through and score an unconverted try.

The other game was even tighter as Creighton beat Egremont 8-5 with a Gary Story try and a Dan Greenslade penalty.

The derby at Mirehouse between St Benedict’s and Wigton in the North Lancs Cumbria League was called off on Saturday morning because of a waterlogged pitch.

It will be re-arranged – possibly for March 29 – as Saints continue to battle to avoid relegation.