Greengarth make it tough for Whitehaven

Rugby Union

Last updated at 09:45, Thursday, 19 November 2009

ONLY two games were played in the Cumbria League as the wet weather claimed three more fixtures.

returning from injury: Whitehaven’s Stephen McConnell was on target with his conversions

League leaders Whitehaven have been scoring for fun this season so it was something of a surprise when they only beat Gosforth Greengarth 19-0 at the Playground.

The wet conditions were a leveller but Whitehaven coach John Gaffney praised the opposition for making life difficult for his side and keeping it to 0-0 at half-time.

“I think we tried to play too much open rugby on the day and we did drop the ball about five times on their line, but full marks to Gosforth for the way they defended.

“After all their problems it was good to see them with a team out and it contained a good number eight and a lively back division,” said Gaffney.

The breakthrough for Whitehaven came from an unlikely source, lock Calum Rowlandson who doesn’t score many tries. But he went 30 yards for the touchdown which finally eased Whitehaven ahead.

Stephen McConnell, who has been out all season recovering from injury, put over the conversion to mark his return.

Midway through the half replacement scrum-half Philip Henderson produced a great show-and-go to go over and again McConnell added the conversion.

Along with two other replacements John Rome and Mike Gaffney, Henderson added some bite to the Whitehaven attack.

It was Gaffney who created the last try with a well-timed pass for Matthew Giddings to go over from 20 yards.

At Workington visitors Cockermouth won 20-11 after a disappointing first-half for them against the Steelers.

Although Andrew Skillen did open the scoring for them with a well-struck penalty after five minutes, this was the only bright spot for them in a disappointing first half performance.

Wigton retained their place at the top of North Lancs Cumbria with a comfortable 22-6 home win over Aldwinians.

Next weekend Wigton will travel to bottom side Burnley to play the game which was postponed last week.

Keswick’s home game with St Benedict’s was called off in the morning because of a waterlogged pitch and will be played on January 2 or 3, at the discretion of the teams.

Keswick will travel to Aldwinians and St Benedict’s will host Furness on Saturday – two games also called off last weekend.

Workington maintained their winning sequence with a 32-7 win at Oldham despite conceding the first points.

The weather turned really foul towards half-time but the Zebras increased the tempo and the forwards gave their opposite numbers a hard time.

Netherhall travelled to Furness without four regular first teamers and were well beaten 47-0.

Results from Saturday, November 14

North Lancs Cumbria League

Eccles 17, Kirkby Lonsdale 24

Fleetwood 13, Heaton Moor 23

Furness 47, Netherhall 0

Keswick v St Benedict's - postponed

Oldham 7, Workington 32

Upper Eden 30, Burnley 17